Independence of Judiciary under threat: CJI

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday said the independence of the judiciary is under threat after allegations of sexual harassment against him over which the Supreme Court held an urgent hearing.

"I will sit on this bench and discharge my duties without fear and favour till my tenure is over," Chief Justice Gogoi said at an urgent hearing on a matter of great public importance after there were media reports alleging sexual harassment charges against him.

"Things have gone too far. Judiciary cannot be made a scapegoat", Justice Gogoi said.

There was a larger conspiracy to destabilise the judiciary which has remained independent, he said. There was some bigger force behind the woman, with criminal track record, making sexual harassment charges against him, Justice Gogoi said.

An apex court bench of CJ Gogoi, Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Sanjeev Khanna conducted the hearing at 10.30 a.m. after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urgently mentioned the matter. IANS