Oct 25, 20202 min
Through a letter signed by ten women lawyers from the Chennai Bar, an intervention is sought from the court to stop and prevent circulation of a video that features retired High Court Judge, Justice CS Karnan, as it is disrespectful and offensive towards women. "He had already threatened to sexually assault the wives of thirteen former and present Supreme Court judges and a retired woman judge of the Supreme Court." The letter reads.
The lawyers believe that if such a questionable video message and statement is left unchecked it will lead to an upsurge in violence against women and send out a "dangerous signal to depraved men, who seem to exist in large numbers" . As per the letter, The video and its contents are outrageous, reprehensible and constitute offences under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998, 66A of the Information and Technology Act and Sections 292,354 A and 506 of the IPC. He allegedly has named several women court staff and lawyers who he claims were sexually abused and harassed by Supreme Court and High Court Judges. In doing so, he has also revealed the identity of these alleged victims of sexual offences, which is prohibited by law.
They added "This sorry state of affairs is a direct consequence of the opaque nature of judicial appointments and lack of accountability. After Mr.Karnan was found guilty of criminal contempt and sent to prison, former CJI, Justice K.G.Balakrishnan, who headed the Collegium that appointed him, professed ignorance about his suitability and said that the Supreme Court Collegium completely relies upon screening by the High Court Collegium. There are other instances of persons being chosen for elevation, despite their unsuitability. Until appointments are made on the basis of objective criteria with complete transparency and accountability, there exists the risk of the judiciary being exposed to such ridicule and losing credibility."
Read Letter here