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MPs Seek Impeachment of Allahabad HC Judge Over Hate Speech

  • 13 Dec 2024 02:42 AM
  • Rajya Sabha, Impeachment, Shekhar Kumar Yadav, Hate Speech

 A group of 55 Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Kapil Sibal, has submitted a motion seeking the impeachment of Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav. The MPs, including prominent leaders such as P Chidambaram, Digvijaya Singh, Raghav Chadha, and Sagarika Ghose, accuse the judge of making hate-filled and inflammatory statements that promote communal disharmony. These remarks, which were made during an event organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), are seen as targeting minorities and showing clear bias in favor of the majority community. The MPs argue that such public statements violate the constitutional principles of judicial impartiality and fairness.

The impeachment motion specifically highlights statements made by Justice Yadav, such as expressing that India should function according to the wishes of the majority and claiming that the country is "Hindustan." These comments are seen as overtly political and discriminatory, raising serious concerns about the judge's ability to impartially hear cases, especially those involving minorities. The MPs further emphasize that judges, as public servants, must maintain neutrality and avoid expressing personal political views in public spaces. They argue that such behavior undermines the credibility of the judiciary and erodes public trust in the fairness of legal proceedings.

The MPs also cite a 1997 Supreme Court statement on the "Restatement of Values of Judicial Life," which mandates that judges should refrain from engaging in public debates or expressing opinions on political matters, especially those that may come before the courts. According to the MPs, Justice Yadav’s conduct breaches these ethical guidelines and constitutes grounds for impeachment. The motion also underscores that a judge with such publicly expressed biases cannot be expected to deliver fair justice, particularly for minority communities. The issue has also sparked concerns from various quarters, including AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who questioned the integrity of the judicial system in such a scenario.

 
 
 
 
 
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