Over 100 Opp MPs sign notice to Speaker for HC judge removal, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• 107 Opposition MPs submitted a notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday seeking the removal of Madras High Court Justice G R Swaminathan.
• The MPs allege Justice Swaminathan's conduct raises questions about impartiality, transparency, and secular functioning.
• The petition cites a December 1 order regarding the 'Karthigai Deepam' lamp on Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai as a trigger.
• Signatories include members from Congress, SP, NCP (SP), AIMIM, and DMK, but TMC and AAP are notably absent.

Detailed Insights:

• The motion alleges Justice Swaminathan showed undue favoritism to a senior advocate and favored advocates from a particular community.
• The opposition also claims the judge decided cases based on political ideology, violating the secular principles of the Indian Constitution.
• The Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, requires a complaint to be signed by at least 100 LS members or 50 RS members to be considered.
• If admitted, the Speaker will form a three-member committee including a SC judge, HC Chief Justice, and a jurist to investigate.
• The removal motion requires a special majority in both Houses: two-thirds of those present and voting, exceeding 50% of total membership.
• If both Houses pass the motion, it is then sent to the President for final action.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Impeachment: A formal process by which a public official is accused of unlawful activity, potentially leading to their removal from office.
• Secularism: The principle of separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries.
• Judges Inquiry Act, 1968: An act of the Parliament of India to regulate the procedure for inquiry into allegations against judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.