NEW DELHI: The CPM on Tuesday formally started the process of uniting the Opposition to move an impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra in the upcoming Budget session.
The party is in talks with the NCP, SP, RJD and Congress, and the opposition is likely hold a meeting to discuss it.
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury met NCP’s Tariq Anwar and former JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav. He is also in talks with the Congress, SP and RJD. While others have given a positive response, the Congress is as yet a divided house. The Budget session starts from January 29 with the Presidential address, followed by the Economic Survey and General Budget on February 1.
“Secular parties expressed deep concerns that serious issues were raised by the four judges against the CJI over allocation of cases. We hoped the matter would be settled among the judiciary but even after two weeks, it remains. It is the collective responsibility of the three pillars of democracy to strengthen the democratic foundation where independence and integrity of judiciary is non-negotiable,” said Yechury.
However, CPM leader Prakash Karat said the party has not taken a call on moving an impeachment motion as yet. “He (Yechury) is doing discussions with other parties but no decision by party till now,” Karat told TNIE.
On January 12, four senior Supreme Court judges — justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph — raised concerns against the CJI on selective allocation of important cases.
Yechury, who successfully moved an impeachment motion against Calcutta HC Justice Soumitra Sen in the RS in 2011, said the only way the legislature can ensure the strengthening of democracy according to the Constitution is by moving an impeachment motion. “Once this is done, it is the constitutional mandate that the presiding officer of the house constitute a committee to inquire into the matter.”
How it happens 50 MPs
Must sign an impeachment motion in the RS or 100 in LS
The RS Chairman or LS Speaker should find merit and admit it
If admitted, a 3-member panel would examine it