Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has been accused of sexual harassment by a former woman employee.  Following the allegations, the Supreme Court held an urgent hearing. A bench comprising Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was set up to hear the case. During the hearing he said, "Considering the very, very important cases that are due to be heard next week, they want to destabilise the office of the CJI. Independence of judiciary is under a very, very serious threat. This is pathetic," adding that if such conditions prevailed then good people would not become judges.

CJI Ranjan Gogoi said that he has received four communications from four different media organisations since the allegations emerged last evening.

During the hearing the CJI spoke and said that the judiciary is under tremendous threat. "There are forces that are trying to destabilise the judiciary. There are bigger forces behind these allegations hurled at me," said CJI Gogoi referring to the allegations.

CJI Gogoi also said that the woman had a criminal background and that there were two FIRs registered against her.  "I should not stoop low even to deny this (allegation)," he added. "There are two FIRs against her. How did she enter Supreme Court service when there was criminal case pending? I inquired with Delhi Police," he said. He also said that the woman was employed for a month and half and that he didn't deem appropriate to reply to the allegations when they first surfaced.

"What troubles me is that after 20 years of service, I have a bank balance of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 40 lakh in PF. When I was a judge I had more. No one can catch me on money. They have to look for something else," said the Chief Justice.

Ranjan Gogoi has been accused of two incidents of sexual misconduct that took place soon after her was appointed CJI in October 2018. The complainant also said that she and her family faced "consistent persecution" after the incidents.