Judge sends memo to court employee for refusing to wash innerwear

Chennai, March 4: A judge in Tamil Nadu is alleged to have sent a memo to a court employee threatening disciplinery action against for her "failure to wash underwear". When criticised by the media, justice D Selvam said that office assistants are meant for menial work.

The 47 year old subordinate judge of Erode forced his office assistant to apologise in writing and assured him that she would not repeat the "lapse".

The memo goes this way:

Please explain within 7 days why disciplinary action should not be initiated against you for your failure to wash the innerwear which were put for washing in the sub-judge's house, and for throwing them away disgustingly, and when your attitude was questioned by the officer and his wife for retorting in an arrogant tone

The woman's acquaintances said that she was hired as an assistant at the court, but was forced to sweep, wash and cook at the judge's home.

It was further said that the judge's wife verbally abused the woman when she refused to wash her innerwear. This was followed by a memo.

Selvan justified and said,"She is an Officer's Assistant appointed to do menial work. I had given only my vest and not underwear. It's clearly given in the Judicial Officers' Association guidelines."

The woman's colleagues, however said,"Many Judges live like Maharajas and they treat employees like modern day slaves. This has to stop."

OneIndia News