New Delhi: The three-member panel, headed by Justice SS Bobde, issued a notice to the woman who had accused Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, ordering her to appear before the court on April 26. 

The 35-year-old woman on April 19 sent a complaint to 22 judges of the apex court alleging that CJI Gogoi had sexually harassed her and then “victimized” her family and her.

Following the complaint, the Supreme Court initiated a suo motu proceedings. The bench on Wednesday summoned the chiefs of the Intelligence Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation and Delhi Police to its chambers. According to reports, the heads are likely to discuss a possible probe into an alleged “conspiracy” against the CJI.

After the woman accused the CHI of sexual misconduct, the secretary-general of the SC dismissed the allegations saying that they were “completely and absolutely false and scurrilous”.

Also read: CJI Ranjan Gogoi rubbishes sexual harassment complaint by former staff member

He has also said that the complainant, “given the nature of her duties”, had no occasion to interact directly with the CJI and suspected some “mischievous forces behind all this”.

“The motive behind these false and scurrilous allegations is obviously mischievous.  As referred to in your letter, there is a criminal case pending against her, where a very serious allegation has been made, of her having a bribe to assure employment in the Supreme Court of India. It has been learnt that there is an application for the cancellation of bail earlier granted to her, which is listed for hearing on 20.04.2019 on account of her having made threats to the complainant of the said case,” said the secretary-general in the statement.

Attorney General KK Venugopal also expressed suspicions of conspiracy behind these allegations.

The Bar Council of India also came out in support of the CJI.  “The allegations levelled by the lady against Hon'ble Mr J. Ranjan Gogoi are all false and concocted. The cock n bull story has been cooked up to plot some big conspiracy against the institution. Bar is fully standing with our C.J.I. and the Judges of Supreme Court. We appeal to the people and entire legal fraternity of the Country to stand with the Institution and save it. I have called an emergent meeting of the Council tomorrow to in order to decide the course of action in this regard. The delegation of Council will also meet the Hon'ble C. J. I. and other Judges to approve them of the views of the Council,” said senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra.