Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Feb 23: The governor of Karnataka has issued an order under the civil services rules dismissing a senior judicial officer from service on allegations of sexually harassing women employees.

A N Hakim (57) is the judge dismissed, who was serving as 2nd additional district and sessions judge in Belagavi. The department of personnel and administrative reforms said that Hakeem was dismissed from the service with immediate effect as per the Karnataka civil service rules of 1957.The order was passed on January 22, 2016.

The order was made based on the inquiry report submitted by high court judge Venugopala Gowda and the decision taken by the full court of the Karnataka high court.
It has been stated in the government order that Hakeem was prima facie found guilty of sexually harassing at least four women employees in the probe. The order also says that Hakim failed to defend himself while he was given opportunities to do so.

Hakeem was accused of sexually harassing a judgment writer at his office as well as at home office, while he was working as second additional district and sessions Judge in Belagavi. He was also accused of harassing a stenographer while he was working at the fast track court. While he was working at the third and fourth district and sessions courts in Belagavi, Hakeem allegedly harassed two other women employees.

Hakeem had joined service in the late Eighties.

The full court had taken a decision to terminate his services in last November.