In a major setback for Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed his petition challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to admit a motion seeking his removal and the constitution of a parliamentary panel to probe corruption allegations against him.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and S.C. Sharma, which had reserved its verdict on January 8, pronounced the decision, effectively clearing the way for the inquiry to continue.
The apex court had earlier agreed on December 16 to examine Justice Varma’s plea, in which he questioned the legality of the Speaker’s action in “unilaterally” constituting a committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. Represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, Justice Varma argued that the formation of the committee under Section 3(2) of the Act violated his right to equality before law, as motions for his removal had been submitted in both Houses of Parliament on the same day.
He contended that despite this, the Lok Sabha Speaker proceeded on his own to set up the inquiry panel, which, according to him, was contrary to constitutional and statutory safeguards.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed the challenge, upholding the Speaker’s decision and allowing the parliamentary process to move forward, marking a significant development in the corruption case against the sitting High Court judge.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
