Impeachment Motion Against Justice Verma Likely in Monsoon Session Amid Political Consensus Push
(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi, June 4 – A motion for the impeachment of Justice Verma of the Allahabad High Court is expected to be introduced during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. The government has initiated a consensus-building effort with political parties to pave the way for the unprecedented step.
Sources indicate that discussions are already underway at the highest levels of government, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju confirming outreach to various political leaders. “This is a serious political issue, and it would be best if all parties were on board,” he said, though he declined to name the leaders or parties contacted so far, stating that details would be revealed in due course.
Key meetings were held throughout Tuesday to deliberate the matter. Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the developments. Later, Shah and Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who also leads the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, met with Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar—signalling that the impeachment motion may first be moved in the Upper House.
The move follows a damning report by a three-member judicial inquiry committee set up by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. The committee was constituted after a fire at Justice Verma’s New Delhi residence in March—when he was still serving in the Delhi High Court—led to the discovery of large sums of unaccounted cash in an adjoining outhouse.
Justice Verma was later transferred to the Allahabad High Court amidst the controversy but refused to resign despite being privately advised to do so. His refusal prompted Chief Justice Khanna, along with the President and Prime Minister, to consider constitutional measures for his removal.
The inquiry committee submitted its report to CJI Khanna on May 4, recommending Justice Verma’s removal on grounds of impropriety and lack of accountability.
According to government sources, the motion is likely to be formally moved by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. In a strategic effort to ensure a smooth passage, Meghwal has reportedly been engaging with leaders across party lines, including Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Congress sources suggest the party may support the motion, aligning with its internal resolution passed in April during the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) session. The resolution emphasized the need for a judicial accountability mechanism that maintains judicial independence while ensuring transparency.
“The Congress recognizes that an independent judiciary is vital to the protection of constitutional principles and democracy. However, it also believes in the necessity of accountability mechanisms for judges,” the resolution had stated.
Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, an impeachment motion against a High Court or Supreme Court judge must be signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha MPs or 50 Rajya Sabha MPs. Once the motion is submitted, the presiding officer of the respective House can admit or reject it.
If admitted, the motion requires the support of a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in each House, provided that the votes in Favor also constitute more than 50% of the total membership of that House. If the motion clears both Houses, the President can then formally order the judge’s removal.
As the political landscape braces for a stormy Monsoon Session, the motion against Justice Verma is poised to become a high-stakes test of judicial accountability, parliamentary consensus, and constitutional balance.
