Bringing Impeachment Against Justice Varma 'A Matte Of MPs, Not Govt': Union Minister
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Friday that bringing an impeachment motion in Parliament against Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma is a collective initiative by Members of Parliament (MP)s, and not just the government.
The minister said that a Supreme Court-led committee formed by the then Chief Justice submitted its findings to the Prime Minister and the President, and that Justice Varma is now entitled to challenge the process in court, news agency PTI reported citing the minister.
Read Also: Amid ‘Cash’ Row, Justice Yashwant Varma Takes Oath As Allahabad High Court Judge
Following the alleged recovery of large sums of cash from his residence in March, Varma has been under scrutiny, and he has approached the Supreme Court, stating he was denied a fair hearing.
However, the minister noted that proceedings in Parliament are separate and independent of legal proceedings in court. The impeachment motion is expected to be tabled in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Read Also: Impeachment Explained As The Centre Likely To Move Against Justice Yashwant Varma In Cash Row
Talking about the motion, the minister clarified that the government has no role in this process, adding that under the Constitution, MPs can initiate a motion to remove a judge on grounds of proven misconduct or corruption, which requires the support of at least 100 Lok Sabha MPs or 50 Rajya Sabha MPs.
“This process is entirely within their parliamentary privilege,” the minister said.
He further opined that the issue transcends politics while acknowledging that many in the opposition were disturbed by the visuals of the cash discovery from the judge’s residence.
