Parliament initiates impeachment process for High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma
The process to remove Justice Yashwant Varma from office began in Parliament, with members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha submitting notices to their presiding officers. 63 Opposition members signed the notice to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, while 152 members, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, backed the Lok Sabha notice. The move follows Justice Varma's responsibilities being taken away and his transfer from Delhi High Court to Allahabad High Court after burnt currency notes were found at his residence. According to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, a joint committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice of a High Court, and a distinguished jurist will be constituted to examine the charges.
Key Points
- The impeachment process for High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma has been initiated in Parliament.
- Notices for his removal were submitted to both the Rajya Sabha Chairman and the Lok Sabha Speaker, meeting the required numerical thresholds.
- The initiation follows the judge's transfer and the discovery of burnt currency notes at his residence.
- A joint committee will be formed to investigate the charges, as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act.
Exam Facts
- Justice Yashwant Varma is a High Court judge.
- A notice for removal of a judge requires 50 members in Rajya Sabha or 100 members in Lok Sabha.
- The process is governed by the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
- A committee will comprise a senior Supreme Court judge, a sitting Chief Justice of a High Court, and a distinguished jurist.
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