In further trouble for beleaguered Karnataka Chief Justice P D Dinakaran, a petition seeking impeachment proceedings against him was moved by as many as 76 Rajya Sabha members today.
The MPs belonging to BJP, Left parties, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (United), Akali Dal and AIADMK submitted the petition to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari seeking the impeachment of Justice Dinakaran, who is facing allegations of land grabbing.
Senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters that the MPs moved the petition in exercise of their Constitutional right as there was a "strong case" with the government returning the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium for Justice Dinakaran's elevation to the apex court.
Leader of Opposition in the Upper House, Arun Jaitley said that Justice Dinakaran should not continue.If the motion is admitted, a three-member committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a high court chief justice and a jurist would be set up to go into the issue, he said.
Asked whether Congress members had also signed the petition, he said if the Congress members wanted to join, they are welcome.
Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh asked how could a chief justice of a high court function if he is not eligible to become a Supreme Court judge.
Justice Dinakaran's elevation to the Supreme Court has been put on hold following allegations of land grabbing.
Top jurists like F S Nariman have objected to his elevation accusing him of judicial impropriety.
Asked about the stand of the government on the impeachment petition against Justice Dinakaran, Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said, "I have not seen the petition. We do not discuss matters pertaining to the appointments in the higher judiciary".
Senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters that the MPs moved the petition in exercise of their Constitutional right as there was a "strong case" with the government returning the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium for Justice Dinakaran's elevation to the apex court.
Leader of Opposition in the Upper House, Arun Jaitley said that Justice Dinakaran should not continue.If the motion is admitted, a three-member committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a high court chief justice and a jurist would be set up to go into the issue, he said.
Asked whether Congress members had also signed the petition, he said if the Congress members wanted to join, they are welcome.
Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh asked how could a chief justice of a high court function if he is not eligible to become a Supreme Court judge.
After media reports on the allegations against Justice Dinakaran, the Supreme Court collegium, which had mooted his elevation to the apex court, put it on hold. It also asked the government to probe the allegations against the backdrop of reports filed by the revenue authorities in Tamil Nadu.
The government threw the ball back into the Supreme Court rejecting the request for any further probe. The collegium is yet to take a final decision.
Top jurists like F S Nariman have objected to his elevation accusing him of judicial impropriety.