Indu Malhotra J replaces NV Ramana J on the panel inquiring into sexual harassment allegations against CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Justice Indu Malhotra has been inducted to the three-member panel formed to look into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, The Print reports..Justice Malhotra replaces Justice Ramana, who recused himself following concerns of objectivity raised by the complainant on account of close relations between Justice Ramana and CJI Gogoi..After the charges against the CJI came to light, a three-member committee was constituted to probe the allegations. This committee comprised Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, and Indira Banerjee..The panel later sent a notice to the complainant requiring her presence before the Committee. In response, the complainant addressed a letter to the judges on the panel, raising a number of concerns..In her letter, a copy of which is with Bar & Bench, the complainant has stated that Justice Ramana is like a family member to CJI Gogoi and frequents his residence often. Owing to this close relationship, she was of the view that her complaint was not likely to get an objective and fair hearing..Shortly after this letter came to light, Justice Ramana decided to recuse from the panel..CJI Gogoi has been accused of sexual assault by a former officer who worked as a junior assistant at the Supreme Court between May 2014 and December 2018. In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the former Court officer has alleged that following the sexual assault incident, she was unceremoniously terminated from her post. Moreover, she alleges that a trail of harassment has followed since her termination, culminating in a frivolous FIR filed in March this year against herself and her family.