logo
Govt working to 'build consensus' on impeachment motion against HC Judge Yashwant Varma, says Kiren Rijiju

Govt working to 'build consensus' on impeachment motion against HC Judge Yashwant Varma, says Kiren Rijiju

Hindustan Times2 days ago

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the government will work to build a consensus on the impeachment motion against Allahabad high court judge Yashwant Varma. This statement comes after a pile of burnt cash was found at the high court judge's house in Delhi.
Speaking to news agency ANI, the BJP leader stated that the matter is related to corruption.
"The impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma is a matter related to corruption in the judiciary. So, there is no scope for any politicking. There is no scope for taking a separate political position for every part,' he said.
Rijiju added that the Centre would like all political parties to take a "united stand" in the matter.
"We would like to have a united stand. Parliament as a whole will have to come together to discuss this matter and move forward. So, I am building consensus amongst all political parties, and I have started discussion with prominent leaders, and I will reach out to everybody,' he told ANI.
A fire incident at HC judge Yashwant Varma's house made headlines after a huge pile of burnt cash was discovered.
Justice Varma denied the claims and stated that he did not have piles of cash stored in his house. However, the Supreme Court constituted an inquiry committee to look into the allegations of the former Delhi HC judge.
Justice Varma was also transferred to the Allahabad High Court. Later on, the Supreme Court committee indicted the HC judge.
The in-house inquiry report issued by the Supreme Court was presented to former CJI Sanjiv Khanna and then forwarded to the Prime Minister and President.
With the Monsoon Session set for July 21, the government is expected to bring in the impeachment motion against the Allahabad HC judge.
The impeachment motion, which is the procedure to remove a sitting Supreme Court or High Court judge based on the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968, needs the signatures of 100 members in the Lok Sabha and 50 signatures from the Rajya Sabha in order to be floated in the parliament.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to pause mass layoffs at Education Department
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to pause mass layoffs at Education Department

Hindustan Times

time29 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to pause mass layoffs at Education Department

President Donald Trump's administration on Friday asked the Supreme Court to pause a court order to reinstate Education Department employees who were fired in mass layoffs as part of his plan to dismantle the agency. The Justice Department's emergency appeal to the high court said U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston exceeded his authority last month when he issued a preliminary injunction reversing the layoffs of nearly 1,400 people and putting the broader plan on hold. Joun's order has blocked one of the Republican president's biggest campaign promises and effectively stalled the effort to wind down the department. A federal appeals court refused to put the order on hold while the administration appealed. The judge wrote that the layoffs 'will likely cripple the department.' But Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote on Friday that Joun was substituting his policy preferences for those of the Trump administration. The layoffs help put in the place the 'policy of streamlining the department and eliminating discretionary functions that, in the administration's view, are better left to the states,' Sauer wrote. He also pointed out that the Supreme Court in April voted 5-4 to block Joun's earlier order seeking to keep in place Education Department teacher-training grants. The current case involves two consolidated lawsuits that said Trump's plan amounted to an illegal closure of the Education Department. One suit was filed by the Somerville and Easthampton school districts in Massachusetts along with the American Federation of Teachers and other education groups. The other suit was filed by a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general. The suits argued that layoffs left the department unable to carry out responsibilities required by Congress, including duties to support special education, distribute financial aid and enforce civil rights laws. Trump has made it a priority to shut down the Education Department, though he has acknowledged that only Congress has the authority to do that. In the meantime, Trump issued a March order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to wind it down 'to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.' Trump later said the department's functions will be parceled to other agencies, suggesting that federal student loans should be managed by the Small Business Administration and programs involving students with disabilities would be absorbed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Those changes have not yet happened. The president argues that the Education Department has been overtaken by liberals and has failed to spur improvements to the nation's lagging academic scores. He has promised to 'return education to the states.' Opponents note that K-12 education is already mostly overseen by states and cities. Democrats have blasted the Trump administration's Education Department budget, which seeks a 15% budget cut including a $4.5 billion cut in K-12 funding as part of the agency's downsizing.

TTD cracks down on unauthorised use of Tirupati Laddu GI Tag: Legal notices issued, offenders suspend listings
TTD cracks down on unauthorised use of Tirupati Laddu GI Tag: Legal notices issued, offenders suspend listings

India Gazette

time42 minutes ago

  • India Gazette

TTD cracks down on unauthorised use of Tirupati Laddu GI Tag: Legal notices issued, offenders suspend listings

Amaravathi (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 6 (ANI): In a decisive move to safeguard the sanctity and intellectual property of the sacred Tirupati Laddu, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has initiated legal action against multiple unauthorized entities found selling or promoting products under the 'Tirupati Laddu' name in violation of its registered Geographical Indication (GI), TDP said in a press release. Legal notices were served through Sahadeva Law Chambers to several online platforms and vendors, including PushMyCart (Mahita LLC) and Transact Foods Limited, for unauthorised commercial exploitation of the Tirupati Laddu name and falsely associating their offerings with the temple. The legal notices highlighted that Tirupati Laddu is a protected GI under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The preparation of the laddu is done exclusively within the Tirumala temple under the supervision of TTD, following a time-honoured and sanctified process. Unauthorised use and sale of the name not only infringes legal rights but also undermines the spiritual sanctity of the offering. In response, PushMyCart acknowledged receipt of the legal notice and, showing goodwill, suspended the infringing product listings pending legal review. Several other vendors have also taken down their listings following TTD's proactive outreach. TTD EO stated, 'The Tirupati Laddu is not just a product, but a sacred prasadam with deep spiritual and cultural value. We are committed to taking all necessary legal steps to prevent its misuse and to protect the trust of crores of devotees worldwide.' This is among the first instances in India where a temple offering protected under the GI law has been defended through formal legal channels on international platforms. TTD continues to monitor and act against any such violations to preserve the authenticity and sanctity of temple traditions. Earlier in February 2025, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four individuals and sent them to judicial remand in connection with the adulteration of ghee used in the Tirumala Srivari Laddu, the agency reported finding 'severe lapses' in the e-tendering process of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The CBI, acting on orders from the Supreme Court, had formed an SIT to investigate the matter. The remand report confirmed adulteration in the ghee supplied, and according to the investigating agency, AR Dairy, Vaishnavi Dairy, and Bhole Baba Dairy were involved in the case. (ANI)

Vice President Dhankar demands investigation into 'cash haul' incident involving Justice Yashwant Varma
Vice President Dhankar demands investigation into 'cash haul' incident involving Justice Yashwant Varma

India Gazette

time42 minutes ago

  • India Gazette

Vice President Dhankar demands investigation into 'cash haul' incident involving Justice Yashwant Varma

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 6 (ANI): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday expressed concern over the recent cash controversy involving former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. A substantial amount of unaccounted cash was discovered at Justice Varma's residence after a fire broke out in mid-March. The incident has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny. He questioned the absence of an investigation into the issue and why no FIR was registered for the same. The Vice President said, 'A painful incident happened in mid-March in Delhi at the residence of a sitting judge. There was a cash haul, obviously tainted, unaccounted, illegal. And unexplained!... It appeared in the public domain after 6-7 days....' Interacting with members of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association in Chandigarh today, the Vice-President further added, 'I have raised the issue. Ultimately, is that the answer if a motion is brought to remove a judge? If there has been a crime, a culpable act shaking the foundations of democracy -- the rule of law, why wasn't it punished? We have lost more than three months, and the investigation has not been initiated. Whenever you go to court, they ask why the FIR was delayed.' Earlier on March 22, the Chief Justice of India constituted a three-member committee, comprising Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Justice GS Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, to examine the allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the High Court of Delhi. The committee concluded its investigation and presented its findings in a report dated May 3. Referring to the same, Dhankar questioned if the committee has 'a constitutional sanction.' 'Does the committee of judges have a constitutional sanction? Does it have statutory sanction? Can this report result in any outcome? Can this report, by itself, be actionable? If a judge removal mechanism is there, the Constitution says this removal mechanism can be initiated either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. This is the only way. Then this committee cannot substitute for an FIR investigation...,' Dhankar said. He stressed that 'even the President and Governors' are immune to prosecution 'till they are in office', and that no other body is provided with this immunity. The Vice President further hoped that an FIR would be filed soon. 'I find it very soothing and must congratulate you that the bar associations in the country are active on it. I hope an FIR is filed,' Dhankar stated. On April 5, Justice Yashwant Varma was sworn in as a judge of the Allahabad High Court under unusual and contentious circumstances. Departing from the customary public ceremony, his oath-taking was conducted privately, a decision that has garnered significant scrutiny. This development coincides with an ongoing investigation into allegations concerning the recovery of partially burnt sacks of cash at his residence weeks prior. Despite his formal induction, Justice Varma has not been assigned any judicial or administrative responsibilities, according to court insiders. His transfer from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court has been met with scepticism, particularly following the filing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. The PIL urged the Chief Justice to defer the swearing-in until the inquiry reached its conclusion. The controversy has elicited strong reactions from the legal community. The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has openly criticised the Collegium's decision, expressing its disapproval through a strongly worded letter addressed to the Chief Justice and other judges. The association condemned the appointment, declaring, 'We are not a dumping ground,' and called for enhanced transparency and accountability in judicial appointments. As the inquiry progresses, Justice Varma's future role within the Allahabad High Court remains uncertain. Legal experts and observers continue to monitor developments closely, as the situation has raised broader concerns regarding judicial integrity and the processes governing appointments within India's judiciary. According to the official website of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Varma obtained his Law degree from Rewa University in 1992 and was enrolled as an Advocate on August 8 of the same year. Throughout his career, he primarily practised civil law, handling cases related to Constitutional Law, Industrial Disputes, Corporate Matters, Taxation, Environmental Issues, and related fields. He served as special counsel for the Allahabad High Court from 2006 until his elevation in 2012. (ANI)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store