Judge faces heat for harassment

Shimla: A civil judge-cum-CJM in Himachal Pradesh has been placed under suspension following a complaint from a woman colleague that he had allegedly harassed her. Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir has ordered a probe into the allegations, sources said here today. The woman is also of the same rank of the accused — civil judge (senior division)-cum-CJM.

The incident took place ahead of a national-level conference on drug abuse in Manali from June 11 to 13. As per the complaint of the woman judge, she was asked to reach Manali in advance in connection with the preparations for the conference that was also attended by judges of Supreme Court and various high courts.

The woman’s complaint said that on June 8, the judge concerned had tried to pressurise her to accompany him to a resort and allegedly misbehaved with her. Later, she made a complaint to the chief justice, who ordered an enquiry into the matter and the judge was suspended, pending a probe.