UP judge alleges sexual harassment by senior, writes letter to CJI seeking permission to end life
New Delhi: A judge from Banda, Uttar Pradesh, has written a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), alleging sexual harassment by a senior district judge and his associates. In the two-page letter, the judge, whose identity remains undisclosed, has requested permission to end her life in a dignified manner.
In the letter addressed to the Chief Justice, she wrote, "Kindly permit me to end my life in a dignified way. Let my life be - DISMISSED." The judge expressed anguish, claiming to have faced extreme sexual harassment and being treated with disrespect. She further mentioned feeling like an "unwanted insect" despite hoping to deliver justice to others.
Upon receiving the letter, Supreme Court Secretary General Atul M Kurhekar, acting on CJI Chandrachud's instructions, wrote to the registrar general of the Allahabad High Court. The letter sought a report by the following morning on the status of all the complaints filed by the woman judge.
According to the judge, she filed a complaint with the Internal Complaints Committee of the High Court in July 2023. However, she alleged that the investigation was a "farce and a sham" as the witnesses in the inquiry were immediate subordinates of the accused District Judge.
She questioned the credibility of the committee, highlighting the challenges faced by witnesses when asked to depose against their boss. She also revealed that her petition requesting the transfer of the District Judge during the inquiry was dismissed by the Supreme Court in "just eight seconds."
The judge disclosed that she had attempted suicide but was unsuccessful. She urged working women in India to learn to live with sexual harassment, stating, "If any of the women think that you’ll fight against the system, let me tell you, I couldn’t. And I am a judge. I could not even muster a fair inquiry for myself. Let alone justice. I advise all women to learn to be a toy or a non-living thing."
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Miscreants loot church, attack 2 priests in Odisha's Sundergarh district
Rourkela, Jun 15: Unidentified miscreants physically assaulted two priests and looted Rs 10 lakh from a catholic church in Odisha's Sundergarh district, police said on Saturday.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Rourkela Zone 3) Nirmal Chandra Mohapatra said, "The incident occurred late on Friday night in the Jharbahal area about 25 km from Rourkela town. The unknown miscreants attacked the fathers and looted money."
After breaking open the main gate, the miscreants proceeded to the father's room. The injured fathers were identified as Alois Xalxo (72), and Nirial Bilung (52).
The injured fathers were admitted to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) and their health condition was stable.
The health condition of the two fathers is reported to be stable, said Dr Ganesh Dash, Director RGH.
The SDPO said the amount of cash looted was Rs 10 lakh. The cash was inside the church after collection from hostel and other places. He said there were 10-12 persons attacked the fathers with lathi and iron rod.
Father Xalxo said, "We were asleep when the miscreants barged into the church after breaking open the grill door."
Father Bilung said, "There were 10-12 persons. They tied us and when we shouted they attacked and injured us. They looted the money kept in church after collection from the hostel and school."
