Lok Sabha to take up motion seeking Justice Yashwant Varma’s removal

Sources indicated that the Lok Sabha may address a motion for the ousting of Justice Yashwant Varma, who was found guilty by the Supreme Court after bundles of cash were uncovered at his official residence in Delhi, during the first week of the Monsoon Session starting July 21.

Varma, a judge at the Allahabad High Court, has appealed to the Supreme Court against the apex court’s internal investigation report.

However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told, “The removal of a Supreme Court or a High Court judge is a matter that is the authority of Parliament. It is independent of what is happening in the Supreme Court.”

Rijiju has been talking to the leaders of all parties to arrive at a consensus over the matter before moving the motion of removal. “The impeachment of a High Court or Supreme Court judge on corruption issues cannot be political. Government should take everyone on board as there is no scope for differences among parties on this,” Rijiju has said.

It is learnt that Rijiju has already conveyed to the Opposition leaders that there has to be a “unified stand” on this matter.

The removal motion notices will be signed by Members of Parliament from various parties. For a motion of impeachment to be considered, it must be proposed by at least 100 members in the Lower House. After the MPs present the motion, the House’s presiding officer can choose to accept or reject it.

Once a motion for impeachment is approved by either House, the Speaker/Chairman must form an inquiry committee of three members, led by the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge, along with a Chief Justice from any High Court, and an individual whom the Speaker/Chairman regards as a “distinguished jurist.” Should the committee declare a guilty verdict, the House where it was presented will then adopt the committee’s report, and discussions on the judge’s removal will occur.

Sources indicated that the government is considering methods to finalize the removal process during the Monsoon Session.

A three-person committee appointed by former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna—consisting of Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court; Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court; and Justice Anu Sivaraman, judge of the Karnataka High Court—has already charged Justice Varma.