'Judiciary Failed Me': anguished MP Judge Resigns After 'Harasser' Senior Gets Elevated To High Court

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-07-30 11:10:38 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-07-31 00:09:09

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One morning in early January, Mumbai-based civil judge Rakhee Virender Mahendru awoke to the news that the senior judge who had sexually harassed her for years had been elevated to the Maharashtra High Court. In a heartfelt letter published to social media, Judge Mahendru detailed the years of torment she experienced and her subsequent efforts to expose the corruption scandal. Describing the Indian judiciary as "heartless and judgemental," Judge Mahendru announced her resignation, saying the institution had failed her.

In the letter, which was addressed to the Chief Justice of India, Judge Mahendru recounts the events that led to her decision to resign. She describes the initial incident in 2016 when the senior judge, who was assigned to her as a mentor, made a sexual advance towards her. Despite reporting the incident to the National Judicial Commission and launching a complaint with the Mumbai Judicial Academy, Judge Mahendru says she was forced to drop the charges due to a lack of belief in the system.

The senior judge, who has not been named, continued to be promoted within the judiciary despite Judge Mahendru's efforts to expose the truth. This culminated in his appointment to the Maharashtra High Court, a move which Judge Mahendru describes as a "fatal blow" to her faith in the system.

Expressing her anguish and disappointment, Judge Mahendru states: "I have tried to fight this battle myself, alone, and even when I had no strength left, I did not give up... I addressed letters to everybody I thought could help, would listen to me, and take my agony seriously."

She continued: "I pursued every formal route available in the hope of being heard, but found no redress. On the contrary, the very system I approached for justice turned against me, making me a victim of prejudice and harassment."

In an emotional conclusion, Judge Mahendru announced her resignation, stating: "I quit the job which I love, a job that defines me... I love the judiciary, but sadly, the judiciary failed me." The letter has since gone viral, sparking debate about gender inequality and the abuse of power within India's judicial system.

Despite calls for change, many women in India continue to face discrimination and harassment. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, over 83,000 women were raped in India in 2021, although only a fraction of these crimes were reported.

This scandal is just one of several recent incidents that have shed light on the ingrained sexism within India's institutions. From ambitious young professionals like Judge Mahendru, to the iconic actress Sushmita Sen, women are speaking out and demanding justice.

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