Ganguly asks for four weeks to reply to women’s panel notice

“Justice Ganguly has sought four weeks’ time citing he needs to collect all the documents regarding the case,” NCW member Shameena Shafiq said. The Commission had taken suo motu cognisance of the report that said a three-member Supreme Court panel had indicted the retired Supreme Court judge of “sexual misdemeanour” on basis of a complaint by a woman lawyer. The NCW had sent him a notice on December 6 to explain his position.

Justice Ganguly,who has refused to resign despite mounting pressure,said on Tuesday that he has also informed the NCW that it “does not have the jurisdiction” to send him a notice.

“I have informed them that they do not have the jurisdiction of sending notice to me. I have not replied to the notice. I need some documents and I need time to collect them. That is why I have sought four weeks’ time from NCW,” he said.

Justice Ganguly,who has been attending office since Friday,after skipping it for a few days,was talking to reporters outside the WBHRC headquarters in Kolkata.

Earlier in the day,asked for his reaction on Trinamool Congress MPs in the Rajya Sabha demanding his removal as WBHRC chairman,he said,“How can I comment on Parliamentary proceedings?”

Asked why he was choosing not to resign,he retorted “that is none of your business.”

According to sources close to Justice Ganguly,he is preparing for a legal battle in the SC if removed as WBHRC chairperson. “He has completed all paperwork for a legal battle. He is preparing to fight the case in the SC if he is removed from his post by the government,” a source said.