Justice Ganguly's conduct is of sexual nature: SC panel

The three-judge committee of the Supreme Court has concluded that the statement of the law intern, who had complained against Justice A K Ganguly, prima facie discloses an "act of unwelcome behaviour" and "conduct of sexual nature" on the part of the retired judge.

The Supreme Court, however, made it clear that no further follow up action is required by it in view of the fact that Justice Ganguly had demitted office on the date of the incident--December 24 last year.

"We have carefully scrutinized the statement (written as well as oral) of (the intern), the affidavits of her three witnesses and the statement of Justice (Retd) A K Ganguly. It appears to the Committee that in the evening on 24.12.2012, she had visited hotel Le Meridien where Justice (Retd) A K Ganguly was staying to assist him in his work. This fact is not denied by him in his statement.

"Further, the Committee is of the considered view that the statement of (the intern) both written and oral, prima facie discloses an act of unwelcome behaviour (unwelcome verbal/non-verbal conduct of sexual nature) by Justice (Retd) A K Ganguly with her in the room in hotel Le Meridien on 24.12.2012 approximately between 8PM and 10.30PM," said the operative portion from the report.

A two-page statement issued by the Chief Justice of India Justice P Sathasivam disclosed the name of the intern but in keeping with the legal requirements and media policy followed in such cases, PTI is not mentioning her name in this news item.

Justice Sathasivam said considering the fact that the said intern was not an intern on the roll of the Supreme Court and that the concerned Judge had already demitted office on account of superannuation on the date of the incident, no further follow up action is required by this court.