The woman civil judge junior division posted in Baberu Court of Banda in UP had written a letter to the Chief Justice of the country seeking permission to end her life. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has taken cognizance of this matter. He has written a letter to the Registrar General of Allahabad High Court asking for a status report in this matter. The acting Chief Justice of the High Court has also taken cognizance of the letter. In an open letter written by woman civil judge Arpita Sahu to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a message has been addressed to all the working women of India. This letter is becoming increasingly viral on social media. In the viral letter, Civil Judge Arpita Sahu has written that I am writing this in extreme despair. This letter has no purpose other than to tell my story and pray. May my eldest guardian (CJI) allow me to end my life. It is written in the letter that I joined the judicial service with great enthusiasm and the belief that I will provide justice to the common people. Little did I know that whichever door I walked into, I would soon be turned into a beggar for justice.
During the short period of my service I have had the rare honor of being abused on the dais in open court. I have been sexually harassed to some extent. I have been treated like complete garbage. I felt like an unwanted pest and I hoped to bring justice to others. I am so innocent. I want to tell all the women of India to learn to live with sexual harassment. This is the truth of our life. The Pose Act is a big lie told to us. No one listens, no one bothers. If you complain, you will be harassed. Be polite and when I mean no one listens, that includes the Supreme Court. You will get an eight-second hearing, insults and the threat of a fine. You will be driven to suicide. And if you are lucky your first attempt at suicide will be successful. If any woman thinks that you will fight against the system then let me tell you, I cannot do that. And I am a judge. Forget justice, I can’t even arrange a fair investigation for myself. I advise all women to learn to stop being a toy or an inanimate object.
Complained to the Internal Complaints Committee of the High Court
During my posting in Barabanki, I was physically and mentally harassed by a Special District Judge and his associates. I was asked to meet the District Judge at night. In the next paragraph it is written that I complained to the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court in 2022. No action has been taken till date. No one bothered to ask me what happened. Why are you worried? I again complained to the Internal Complaints Committee of Allahabad High Court in July 2023. It took six months and a thousand emails to launch an investigation. This also proved to be a sham for the investigation. The witnesses were subordinate to the District Judge. In such a situation, how can a witness go against the boss? A fair investigation can take place only when the witness is free from the administrative control of the accused. I had requested to be transferred to the District Judge while the investigation was pending. But my request was also not heeded. The investigation will now be under the charge of the District Judge. We know what the result of such investigation is. Therefore, I am seeking permission from the Chief Justice to end my life.
Information about viral letter has been received – District Judge, Banda
Banda District Judge Babbu Sarang said that he got information about the viral letter through social media. The letter is not investigated or confirmed until the victim talks to the judge. Therefore it is not possible to say anything. Let us tell you that Civil Judge Junior Division Arpita Sahu is a resident of Lucknow. She became a judge in the year 2019. His first posting was in Barabanki. After this, he was transferred to Banda in May 2023. Since then he is posted here. Every day she goes to Baberu court for hearing of cases. Presently he is said to be on leave. She lives in a room named Bagain Nadi of Circuit House located on Mawai bypass of Kotwali area of Banda city. Presently his room is locked. Many calls were made to his mobile number, but he did not answer any call. Whereas Baberu Assistant Prosecution Officer Shailendra Kumar said that the lady judge has been on leave for four days. This is his personal matter. I can’t say anything in this regard.