The Supreme Court on Thursday constituted a committee headed by Retired Supreme Court judge Justice A K Patnaik to probe into the details contained in the affidavit filed by advocate Utsav Bains alleging a larger conspiracy to frame Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogi on allegations of sexual harassment.

The bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra also directed CBI Director, Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Commissioner to assist Justice Patnaik in the probe.

The bench also comprising of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Sanjeev Khanna also said that this inquiry will be totally separate to in-house inquiry set up to look into alleged misbehaviour by CJI.

“This inquiry only focuses on the contents of affidavit and what is alleged therein,” the bench categorically stated.

The next hearing will be held after Justice Patnaik submits the inquiry report, the bench said.

In the pre-lunch hearing, the bench had expressed displeasure over the “systematic attack” on the judiciary. The bench also cautioned “rich and powerful” that they are playing with fire and their collusion against the judiciary must stop.

—India Legal Bureau