Impeachment Notice Against Justice Yadav Pending in Rajya Sabha

IMPEACHMENT NOTICE AGAINST JUSTICE YADAV PENDING IN RAJYA SABHA

Why in the News?

  • Impeachment notice: Filed by 54 Rajya Sabha MPs against Justice Shekhar Yadav for a controversial VHP speech.
  • Signatures required: At least 50 MPs must verify signatures to move forward, as per Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
  • Current status: 44 signatures verified; six more MPs confirmed their signing, meeting the required 50.

Impeachment Notice Against Justice Yadav Pending in Rajya Sabha

Impeachment Process and Legal Framework

  • Act provision: Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 mandates 50 MPs in Rajya Sabha or 100 in Lok Sabha for impeachment.
  • VP’s role: Vice-President Dhankhar has not rejected the notice; no legal timeframe for decision.
  • Submission: Notice submitted in December 2023 with 54 MPs signing initially.

Challenges in Verification Process

  • Pending verifications: As of May 23, only 43 MPs had confirmed via email/phone.
  • Unreachable MPs: Three MPs could not be reached; one MP cited election commitments.
  • Secretariat efforts: Rajya Sabha secretariat actively contacting MPs since March-May 2025.

JUDGES (INQUIRY) ACT, 1968

● Purpose: Provides legal procedure for investigating judges of High Courts and Supreme Court.

● Initiation: Requires 50 RS MPs or 100 LS MPs to initiate impeachment.

● Process: Involves Vice-President’s approval, followed by a Judicial Inquiry Committee formation.

● Outcomes: Report submitted to Parliament; final removal requires two-thirds majority in both Houses.

● Importance: Ensures judicial accountability while safeguarding judicial independence.