An Unsettling Development: Motion to Remove Justice Verma to be Raised in Lok Sabha

The Indian Parliament is set to witness a pivotal moment as Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that a motion for Justice Verma removal will be brought before the Lok Sabha. This development comes amidst serious allegations against Justice Yashwant Verma, specifically concerning the recovery of burnt wads of cash from his residence following a fire incident. The move underscores a collective resolve within Parliament to uphold judicial integrity and address concerns of corruption within the judiciary.

A United Front for Justice Verma Removal

• Initial Step in Lok Sabha: As per parliamentary rules, the motion for Justice Verma removal will first be introduced in the Lok Sabha. This is the foundational step in a comprehensive process aimed at ensuring accountability.
• Rajya Sabha Concurrence: Following its consideration in the Lok Sabha, the motion will subsequently require concurrence from the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the bicameral nature of such significant parliamentary actions.
• Cross-Party Consensus: A crucial aspect emphasized by Minister Rijiju is the consensus among all political parties regarding the Justice Verma removal. He stated that this decision has to be a “joint call,” signifying a rare moment of unity on a matter of national importance.

Parliament’s Collective Responsibility

• Beyond Government Efforts: Rijiju stressed that initiating the impeachment process for Justice Verma removal is not solely the government’s responsibility. Instead, it is a collective duty of the entire Parliament to tackle issues of corruption within the judicial system, whether it involves Supreme Court or High Court judges.
• Avoiding Division: The Union Minister urged for a unified approach, stating, “We should not be divided on this issue,” reinforcing the non-partisan nature of the effort to ensure judicial probity.

The Genesis of the Motion

• Ongoing Scrutiny: The move for Justice Verma removal follows intense scrutiny after burnt cash was found at his residence. This discovery triggered widespread concern and initiated the process for his potential impeachment.
• Signatures Collected: Minister Rijiju previously confirmed that the requisite signatures of over 100 MPs had already been collected for the impeachment process against Justice Verma, signaling strong parliamentary support for the action.
• Memorandum to Speaker: On July 21, Members of Parliament formally submitted a memorandum to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, calling for the removal of High Court Justice Yashwant Varma in connection with the cash discovery controversy.
• Broad Support: A significant number of MPs, totaling 145 from various political parties including Congress, TDP, JDU, JDS, Jan Sena Party, AGP, SS (Shinde), LJSP, SKP, and CPM, have signed the impeachment motion. Notable signatories include prominent figures like Anurag Singh Thakur, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, PP Chaudhary, Supriya Sule, and KC Venugopal.

The Road Ahead for Justice Verma Removal

• Committee Formation: Government sources indicated that a committee is likely to be formed to investigate the allegations against Justice Yashwant Verma. This committee is expected to comprise a Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice from a High Court, and a distinguished jurist, ensuring a thorough and impartial inquiry.
• Monsoon Session Business: While the Justice Verma removal motion is expected to be taken up in the ongoing monsoon session, the Union Minister noted that the specific priority of any business would be determined by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) with the Speaker’s approval.
• Not a Government-Alone Move: Reaffirming the collective nature of the action, Rijiju reiterated, “In the Justice Varma case, the process will be undertaken together by all parties. This is not the move by the government alone.”

The impending motion for Justice Verma removal marks a significant moment in India’s parliamentary history, demonstrating a firm stance against corruption and a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the judicial system through united parliamentary action.