A senior high court lawyer from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has been accused of stalking and attempting to touch a junior lawyer inappropriately.
The complaint was filed on Wednesday by the junior lawyer, who alleged that the accused had been stalking her and making her feel unsafe for an extended period of time.
According to the complainant, despite repeated warnings, the senior lawyer continued to stalk and harass her. He would stare at her whenever she entered or exited her cubicle, making her feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
The junior lawyer and her senior colleague even resorted to covering their sitting arrangements with bags to prevent the accused lawyer from staring at her.
The complaint was lodged with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, the High Court Bar Association (HCBA), and the High Court administration. The junior lawyer expressed her fear and discomfort about entering her own cubicle due to the accused lawyer’s behavior, which has made it difficult for her to practice her profession.
She emphasized that the harassment has not only been physical but also mental, affecting her ability to work properly.
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To avoid any further harassment, the complainant now avoids entering the High Court bar room after 3:30 pm, as the accused lawyer often remains in his cubicle until late. The woman lawyer also stated that she has to cover her face when passing through her cubicle because of the uncomfortable and unsafe stares from the accused.
Demanding strict action against the accused, the junior lawyer expressed her hope for a fair investigation into her complaint. She urged the authorities to ensure her safety and hold the senior lawyer accountable for his inappropriate actions. The incident has highlighted the need for creating a safe and secure environment for lawyers within court premises.
