On January 9, a Supreme Court division bench led by Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna questioned whether pursuing the transfer petition in the case involving former Supreme Court judge Justice Swatanter Kumar's alleged sexual harassment of a law clerk would serve any purpose. As a result, the Court scheduled the matter for further consideration on February 24.

"What we are wondering is, it it necessary to go on with this matter now. We are only asking.." Justice Joseph asked.

A bench asked the question while hearing the survivor's transfer petition. Advocate Vrinda Grover, who is representing the survivor-law clerk, stated that she will have to wait for instructions in this regard. The survivor of alleged sexual harassment filed the transfer petition, requesting that the main case be transferred from the Delhi High Court to a state where the accused judge did not work. Because of his clout in the capital city, the accused, according to the petitioner, will be able to influence the proceedings if they are held in Delhi. Surprisingly, the Delhi High Court barred the media from reporting on the case except during court proceedings in January 2014.

Before being appointed to the Supreme Court, Justice Kumar served as a judge on the Delhi High Court, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He also served as chairperson of the National Green Tribunal till December 2017.