Some Opposition parties have revived the process of discussing the moving of an impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.
With just a few days remaining in the Budget session, there is talk of moving such a motion before the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The Congress, which is learnt to be divided on the issue, is not opposed to such a move. “We hope the situation will be clear by Wednesday morning but there were hectic consultations today [on Tuesday],” said a senior leader who did not wish to be identified.
Officially though, the Congress played down talks of an impeachment motion. “As of now, there isn't much substance in these reports,” said Randeep Singh Surjewala, its chief spokesperson. However, West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee said she would back such a move if it was supported by other parties.
“I cannot ignore what the four judges said at the press conference. But let other parties decide. Trinamool Congress will go with what others decide,” Ms. Banerjee said in a response to a question on whether her party would back such a motion.
Interestingly, Ms. Banerjee’s comments came on a day when Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan met her in Parliament on Tuesday.
Signatures needed
To move an impeachment motion in the Rajya Sabha, the petition has to be signed by 50 MPs and Congress alone has 54 MPs.
Trinamool too has 12 MPs in the Upper House.
Alhough the Congress was ambivalent, senior lawyer and NCP Rajya Sabha MP Majeed Memon claimed it had taken the lead.
“The Congress which is he main opposition party has initiated a petition which will be presented to the chairman after the requisite number of signatures are obtained. Further, smaller parties in the Rajya Sabha have expressed their support,” Mr Memon said and added that NCP chief Sharad Pawar has already signed the petition.
“What happened on January 12 [the day four Supreme Court judge held press conference] was disastrous and unprecedented, yet Supreme Court remained undivided house. But on February 26 outgoing Justice Amitav Roy made certain comments, that can’t be ignored any more,” he said.
"If an impeachment motion is brought about, then there will be an inquiry with two sitting Supreme Court judges and a jurist. And until then, convention says a judge has to recuse from taking up cases," said a senior Congress leader who did not wish to be quoted.
