WB govt explores options as justice Ganguly named in sexual harassment case

Justice Ganguly had been appointed as the chairman of the WBHRC in 2011 at the behest of Mamata Banerjee.

The West Bengal Government is exploring options to deal with the situation that arises after a retired supreme court justice Ashok Ganguly,who is currently holding the position of chairman of West Bengal Human Rights commission ,has been accused of sexual assault by a law intern.

Chandrima Bhattacharya,state law minister,said, The state government is yet to take any decision. But this kind of allegation against a retired justice who holds such high post is unfortunate. Law will take its course.

While contacted,Naparajit Mukherjee,former DGP and non judicial member of the commission denied to comment.

Story continues below this ad

Justice N C Sil,former member of the commission who had worked with Justice Ganguly for a long time however expressed his shock. I had worked with him for a long time. In the commission I have worked with him for two years and earlier in Calcutta High Court,I used to sit with him on the same bench. But I had never any feeling that he can be involved in this kind of a thing. I have always seen as a good human being ,said justice Sil whose term in the commission got over recently.

While asked about the process for removal of the chairman of a commission,Justice Sil said,Chairman can only be removed by the President of India in consultation with the chief justice of SC if the chairman is proven guilty of any such crime.

Justice Ganguly had been appointed as the chairman of the WBHRC in 2011 at the behest of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Before his appointment,the WBHRC functioned without a chairman for ten years.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram