Govt seeks AG’s views on Ganguly’s removal

Govt seeks AG’s views on Ganguly’s removal
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Highlights

Govt Seeks AG’s Views on Ganguly’s Removal, Removal of Justice A K Ganguly. On Monday, she released portions from the intern's statement before a three-member Supreme Court panel, describing how Justice Ganguly had allegedly sexually harassed her at a Delhi hotel in December 2102.

  • Examining issue, will take some time to send opinion to Govt: Vahanvati
  • Centre mulls Presidential Reference to Supreme Court for his removal

New Delhi: Stepping into the growing controversy involving West Bengal Human Rights Commission Chairman A K Ganguly, the Government has sought the opinion of Attorney-General G E Vahanvati. The reference was made by Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal, as the Government is mulling making a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court for the removal of Justice A K Ganguly from his post, as it has become untenable in the wake of charges of his harassing a law intern.

The Centre has readied the Draft Presidential Reference, which is being vetted by Attorney-General G E Vahanvati. The Attorney-General has said that he is examining the issue and will take some time to send his opinion to the Government.There is widespread demand that Justice A K Ganguly should be removed. He has denied allegations against him and has refused to resign.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking the removal of West Bengal Human Rights Commission Chairman A K Ganguly from the post, in the wake of the charges of sexual harassment of the law intern. The President, in turn forwarded the petition to the Union Home Ministry, compelling the Union Government to step in and consider the issue. On the sidelines of a function, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said, “Papers have come to us. I can say as of now that we have sent to Legal Department and then after obtaining their opinion, we will go ahead.” After Home Minister Shinde sent it to Law Minister Kapil Sibal, the latter sought the opinion of the Attorney-General in the matter.

The Human Rights Act provides that the President has to make a reference to the Supreme Court, which, in turn, will order an inquiry. The Government is also exploring the possibility of invoking the clause that the President can remove a person from the post, in case of infirmity of mind or body. Additional Solicitor-General Indira Jaising has also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking Justice Ganguly's removal.

On Monday, she released portions from the intern's statement before a three-member Supreme Court panel, describing how Justice Ganguly had allegedly sexually harassed her at a Delhi hotel in December 2102.

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