Melbourne magistrate Raj Malhotra resigns after sexual misconduct allegations
A MAGISTRATE accused of sexually assaulting a junior staffer at a Christmas function in December has resigned.
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A MAGISTRATE embroiled in a sexual assault scandal involving a junior staffer has resigned.
Magistrate Raj Malhotra’s resignation comes almost eight months after allegations of the sexual misconduct were first exposed by the Herald Sun.
The resignation takes effect at the end of the month.
Mr Malhotra had been on the bench for less than 12 months when he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a staff Christmas function in December.
MAGISTRATE RAJ MALHOTRA STOOD DOWN OVER SEX ASSAULT CLAIMS
He was accused of groping a young woman’s buttocks and telling her he “loved her” after a night of drinking.
There were also allegations he incited violence by asking a member of the public to attack a male staffer whom he described as a “c---”.
Sources told the Herald Sun during his time on the bench, Mr Malhotra was blocked from working with females.
Court insiders said senior figures were forced to act after complaints from female clerks.
“They just couldn’t work with him,” a source said.
“There were complaints of bullying and sexual innuendos,” they said.
Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen allowed Mr Malhotra to continue working despite the allegations.
But he was forced to act after the matter was referred to the Judicial Commission of Victoria by Attorney-General Martin Pakula.
It was the first referral Mr Pakula made to the commission, an independent body set up to investigate complaints about judicial officers, since it started last year.
Before being appointed to the bench in March last year, Mr Malhotra worked in senior positions at a number of government agencies both locally and interstate.
An investigating panel at the Judicial Commission is currently investigating the allegations against Mr Malhotra.
The Herald Sun understands the findings from that investigation are imminent.
Following its investigation, in relation to each referral, the investigating panel must either dismiss the referral, refer it to the Chief Magistrate, or — if it forms an opinion that facts exist which could warrant the removal of the Magistrate — prepare a report for the Governor.