The Supreme Court, however, rejected this argument, clearing the way for the Speaker-appointed committee to proceed with the inquiry into the allegations against him.
SC rejects Justice Yashwant Verma’s plea
New Delhi: Justice Yashwant Verma has suffered a significant legal setback in the cash-for-questions case, with the Supreme Court dismissing his petition challenging the validity of the committee constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker. With this ruling, the impeachment proceedings against Justice Verma will continue.
Justice Verma had questioned the legality of the three-member inquiry committee formed by the Lok Sabha Speaker, arguing that it violated the procedure prescribed under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
During an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had directed Justice Verma to appear before the Speaker-appointed committee on January 12. While the apex court acknowledged that there may have been a procedural irregularity in the committee’s formation, it had also raised doubts over whether the lapse was serious enough to justify judicial interference.
In its final ruling dismissing the petition, the Supreme Court noted that Justice Verma had not challenged the rejection of the impeachment motion by the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
The court observed that since neither the Lok Sabha Speaker nor the Rajya Sabha Chairman had admitted the motion, the constitution of a joint committee was not legally possible.
Justice Verma’s Objections
Justice Verma had contended that despite impeachment notices being submitted in both Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha Speaker constituted the inquiry committee without consulting the Rajya Sabha Chairman, as required under the law. He argued that this omission rendered the committee invalid.
The Supreme Court, however, rejected this argument, clearing the way for the Speaker-appointed committee to proceed with the inquiry into the allegations against him.
