55 Rajya Sabha MPs seek impeachment of judge over controversial remarks

A group of 55 Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Kapil Sibal, has filed a motion to impeach Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court, accusing him of "hate speech" and promoting communal disharmony.

The MPs submitted a 21-page appeal to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, citing Justice Yadav's remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event as evidence of bias and prejudice against minorities.

The motion, supported by leaders like P. Chidambaram, Digvijaya Singh, Raghav Chadha, Sagarika Ghose, Saket Gokhale, Manoj Jha, and John Brittas, argued that Justice Yadav's statements undermine judicial impartiality and violate constitutional principles. The MPs emphasized that his remarks reflect a "majoritarian approach" and pose a threat to the judiciary's credibility.

Among the comments attributed to Justice Yadav were references to the Ram Mandir and assertions that "India should function according to the wishes of the majority." The motion deemed these statements as "outrageous and discriminatory" and highlighted a 1997 Supreme Court guideline that prohibits judges from expressing political opinions or affiliating with extremist groups.

The appeal contended that Justice Yadav's behavior constitutes "misconduct" and justifies impeachment based on allegations of hate speech and constitutional violations. The MPs further noted that such remarks compromise the judiciary's ability to deliver justice impartially, particularly to minority groups.

The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the situation and sought further details. Meanwhile, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed concerns over the implications of Justice Yadav's comments, questioning how minority litigants could expect fairness from a judge aligned with the VHP.

"This raises serious questions about the collegium system and judicial impartiality," Owaisi stated, echoing calls for accountability and a reassessment of Justice Yadav's position.