Impeachment Proceedings Begin Against Justice Yashwant Verma; 145 MPs Submit Memorandum in Parliament

National News: A major constitutional step was taken on Monday as Parliament initiated the process to remove Justice Yashwant Verma of the Allahabad High Court from his position. The move follows reports of large quantities of charred ₹500 currency notes allegedly found at his residence, sparking national outrage and political urgency.

Unprecedented Unity: 145 MPs Submit Petition

In a rare display of bipartisan consensus, 145 members of Parliament from both the ruling and opposition parties jointly presented a formal petition to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, calling for action against the judge. Lawmakers from parties such as the Congress, CPI (Marxist), and NCP backed the motion.

What makes this development striking is that even MPs from the BJP, along with its allies—the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal United (JDU), and Janata Dal Secular (JDS)—also endorsed the petition, indicating the seriousness of the issue across party lines.

Senior Leaders Support the Move

Signatures on the memorandum include notable figures like Anurag Thakur of the BJP, Rahul Gandhi from the Congress, and NCP leader Supriya Sule. The bipartisan nature of this motion highlights its constitutional gravity.

First-Ever Impeachment Proceedings Against a Serving High Court Judge

This instance marks the first-ever impeachment proceedings against a currently serving High Court judge in India's post-independence history. The inquiry and legal review will proceed under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Indian Constitution, which govern the removal of judges from higher judiciary.

How Judicial Impeachment Works in India

• Once a judge is appointed to the Supreme Court or a high court, they can only be removed through a rigid constitutional process. The steps are as follows:
• The motion must originate with the support of a minimum of 100 members from the Lok Sabha or 50 members from the Rajya Sabha.
• A detailed investigation is carried out under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
• Both houses of Parliament must approve the motion with a two-thirds majority.

The final decision rests with the President of India, who acts on the recommendation made by Parliament.

Although the Indian Constitution does not explicitly use the word “impeachment” for judges, the process is similar in spirit and function. It is designed to ensure judicial accountability while safeguarding judicial independence.