Allahabad HC judge SK Yadav faces impeachment motion in Rajya Sabha

About 55 members of Parliament, sitting in the opposition benches, led by Kapil Sibal, who is also the president of Supreme Court Bar Association of India (SCBA) submitted a motion to the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha. The appeal is to impeach Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court for his derogatory remarks against Muslims.

Legislators like Vivek Tankha, Digvijaya Singh, P Wilson, John Brittas and KTS Tulsi signed the motion that alleged “hate speech and incitement to communal disharmony in violation of the Constitution of India”.

Through the impeachment motion, they have requested the Chairman to:

1. Admit the motion and forward it to the President of India in accordance with the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968;

2. Constitution of an inquiry committee to investigate the charges of hate speech, communal disharmony and violations of judicial ethics; and/or

3. Initiate appropriate proceedings to remove Justice Yadav from office if the allegations are proven.

The impeachment motion has come a day after the Supreme Court took cognisance of reports concerning the controversial remarks made by Justice Yadav at the event organised by the legal wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on December 8.

While the matter is currently under consideration, the top court has sought details and particulars from the Allahabad High Court. Justice Yadav’s remarks drew widespread criticism as many perceived it as biased against the Muslim community.