The Supreme Court today agreed to hear a petition filed by a former law intern, who has made allegations against former Supreme Court Judge Swatanter Kumar, to constitute a permanent mechanism to deal with sexual harassment cases at work place in judicial bodies.
A three-Judge Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam, however, made it clear that at this moment it was not expressing any opinion on the allegations made by the intern against Justice Kumar and issued notice to the Centre. The Bench also issued notice to Justice (retd) Swatanter Kumar, Chairperson of National Green Tribunal, and to the Secretary General of the Supreme Court, who were made parties by the intern in the petition. The Bench also appointed senior advocates Fali S Nariman and K K Venugopal as amicus curiae in the case and directed Attorney General G E Vahavati to assist it in the matter.

At the outset of the hearing, Justice Sathasivam raised question on why the intern came out so late regarding alleged harassment and expressed apprehension that complaint can be filed against a judge 20 years after his retirement.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the intern, submitted that once a mechanism is set up to deal with such cases, then people will come within reasonable time to file the complaint. He submitted that the Court can fix the time frame within
which a person can approach with complaints. The Bench said, it is inclined to consider these aspects and asked the Centre to file response within four weeks. It posted the case for next hearing on February 14.

Meanwhile, former Supreme Court Judge and National Green Tribunal Chairperson Swatanter Kumar today moved the Delhi High Court seeking to restrain the media from reporting the alleged sexual assault case of his former woman law intern. Justice Kumar has also sought a whopping five crore rupees as damages from two English news channels and a leading English daily for defaming him in the case.

A battery of senior lawyers, including Maninder Singh and N K Kaul, mentioned the civil suit before Justice G S Sistani at 10.30 AM and sought an urgent hearing of the petition. Justice Sistani, who is in-charge Judge of civil suits filed in the High Court, ordered hearing of the petition today itself.

According to the intern, the alleged harassment took place in May 2012 when he was a sitting judge of the apex court.