A three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian was hearing a plea filed by former judicial officer from Madhya Pradesh, appealing against the disciplinary action by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in the case.
After hearing WhatsApp messages sent by the former district judge to a junior woman officer, CJI Bobde said "sending offensive and improper messages to (a) junior officer and flirting with her is not acceptable".
Senior advocate R Balasubramanium, counsel for the petitioner, told the Apex Court that the lady officer has withdrawn her complaint under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, and therefore the disciplinary proceedings by the High Court are not maintainable.
To which, senior Advocate Ravindra Srivastava, appearing for Madhya Pradesh High Court, said she may not want any action under Sexual Harassment Act, but as far as the High Court is concerned, it is still under liberty, and it has a duty, to take cognizance of the conduct. That is a separate matter.(UNI)
