Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday that the government wants all political parties to work together in bringing an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma. Justice Varma is accused of corruption and was indicted by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court.
Mr. Rijiju said this is not a political issue but a fight against corruption in the judiciary, and the government wants the effort to remove Justice Varma to be a joint one. He has already started talking to different political parties to get their support for the motion during Parliament’s Monsoon session, which begins on July 21.
He also said that smaller parties will be approached as well, and the major parties are already aware of the plan. Mr. Rijiju emphasized that corruption is a problem for everyone, not just one political party.
Regarding where the motion will be introduced — in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha — Mr. Rijiju said that decision will depend on the schedule of each House.
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According to the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968, if a motion to remove a judge is accepted, a special three-member committee is formed to investigate the reasons for removal. This committee usually includes the Chief Justice of India or another Supreme Court judge, the chief justice of a high court, and a respected legal expert.
Mr. Rijiju mentioned that this case is a little different because an internal committee set up by then Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna has already submitted a report about Justice Varma. The government will decide how to use that report along with the official process.
He said the official inquiry committee must still be formed by Parliament, but the earlier report from the in-house committee should not be ignored.
Mr. Rijiju hopes the impeachment motion will be passed during the Monsoon session, which runs from July 21 to August 12.
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In March, a fire at Justice Varma’s house in Delhi led to the discovery of burnt sacks containing cash. Although Justice Varma said he did not know about the cash, the Supreme Court committee found him responsible after speaking with witnesses and recording his statement.
The then Chief Justice Khanna asked Justice Varma to resign, but he refused. Later, Justice Varma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court, where he has not been given any judicial work.
Chief Justice Khanna also recommended to the President and Prime Minister that an impeachment motion should be started to remove Justice Varma from his position.
