Govt seeks A-G help on Justice Ganguly issue

Moving double-quick against West Bengal Human Rights Commission chairman AK Ganguly, the Centre on Thursday sought attorney general GE Vahanvati’s opinion asking the Supreme Court to inquire into sexual harassment charges levelled at the retired SC judge by a law intern.

Moving double-quick against West Bengal Human Rights Commission chairman AK Ganguly, the Centre on Thursday sought attorney general GE Vahanvati’s opinion asking the Supreme Court to inquire into sexual harassment charges levelled at the retired SC judge by a law intern.

“I can say as of now that we have sent (the papers) to legal department and then after obtaining their opinion, we will go ahead,” Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.

Under the Protection of Human Rights Act, Ganguly can only be sacked for “proved misbehaviour or incapacity” if a SC inquiry – launched on a request from the President – indicts him. This process can only be dispensed with in certain cases including insolvency, engaging in paid employment, found unfit to continue due to infirmity of mind or body or convicted in corruption case.

Two months ago, MHA Had rejected similar demands against former CJI and NHRC chairman KG Balakrishnan on a charge of possessing benami properties.