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."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Tribal man brings dead sister's skeleton to bank to withdraw money from her account
Keonjhar (PTI): A tribal man in Odisha's Keonjhar district on Monday brought the skeleton of his dead sister to a bank to withdraw the money deposited in her name, police said.
The incident occurred at Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank located at Patana block of Keonjhar district. The man was identified as Jeetu Munda (50) of Dianali village. He was seeking to withdraw Rs 20,000 from the bank account of his elder sister, Kalra Munda (56), who died on January 26, 2026.
"I have run several times to the bank, and the people there told me to bring the account holder to withdraw money deposited in her name. Though I told them that she had died, they did not listen to me and insisted on bringing her to the bank. Therefore, out of frustration, I dug the grave and brought out her skeleton as proof of her death," an illiterate Jeetu Munda told reporters.
Patana Police Station Inspector in charge (IIC) Kiran Prasad Sahu, who reached the bank after getting information, said, "Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not know what the legal heir or nominee is. The bank officials have failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from the dead person's account."
However, after the incident, the police assured Jeetu Munda that they would facilitate the withdrawal of money from the bank account of his dead sister. Later, the skeleton was again buried at the graveyard in presence of police.
Meanwhile, local Block Development Officer (BDO) Manas Dandpat said that he was not approached by anyone for the legal heir of late Kalra Munda. "Today only, I came to know about it. We will see what can be done to resolve the issue," the BDO said.
Meanwhile, bank sources said that the nominee in Kalra Munda's bank account was also dead. Therefore, Jeetu Munda was the lone claimant over the money deposited in her name.
The local administration has directed the bank officers to make arrangements and ensure that Jeetu Munda, who is the only claimant as per the rules, gets the money as soon as possible.
