Who would want to stand with a corrupt judge, all parties are unanimous on removing Justice Verma: Kiren Rijiju

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that all political parties are unanimous on the issue of impeachment of Justice Yashwant Verma. He said in an interview that discussions are going on with all parties on this issue and the initiative has been taken by MPs of different political parties, including Congress MPs. During this, he also said that the matter of corruption in the judiciary is very serious and worrying.

It is noteworthy that hundreds of thousands of burnt currency notes worth Rs. 500 crores were found in a fire that broke out in a store at the official residence of Justice Yashwant Verma, the then judge of Delhi High Court, on the night of March 14. Justice Verma has claimed innocence in this case. However, the internal investigation committee of the Supreme Court has recommended impeachment against him.

MPs have taken the initiative – Rijiju

Rijiju said in an interview to PTI, “I have spoken to all the senior leaders of various political parties. I will also contact some parties with only one MP, because I do not want to ignore any member. So that it comes out as a joint opinion of the Indian Parliament.” The Union Minister stressed that the initiative to bring a proposal to remove Justice Verma was not taken by the government, but by MPs of various political parties, including Congress MPs.

Corruption in judiciary is a serious issue

The Union Minister further said that the matter of corruption in the judiciary is serious. He said, “Corruption in the judiciary is a very sensitive and serious matter, because the judiciary is the place where people get justice. If there is corruption in the judiciary, then it is a matter of serious concern for everyone. That is why the proposal to remove Justice Yashwant Verma will be signed by all political parties.”

Rijiju said that he is happy that the main opposition party Congress has understood the seriousness of the matter and has agreed to support on this issue. He said, “I am happy that it has understood things the way it should, because no party can be seen standing with a corrupt judge or protecting a corrupt judge.” Rijiju said, “When it comes to corruption in the judiciary, we have to be united. There should not be a party-based stance in this and it should not be made a political issue.” Let us tell you that Congress has said that all its MPs will support the proposal against Justice Verma.

Rijiju told the further process

Rijiju further said that the notice to bring a proposal to remove a judge should have the signatures of at least 100 members in the Lok Sabha and 50 members in the Rajya Sabha. He said that the notice will be presented to the Speaker in the Lok Sabha and to the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha, who will inform the House, form an inquiry committee as per the Judges Inquiry Act and get the report in three months. Rijiju said, “The requirement of the three-month period has to be fulfilled. After that the investigation report will be presented in Parliament and it will be discussed in both the houses.

On former law minister Kapil Sibal’s comment comparing Justice Verma and Justice Shekhar Yadav of Allahabad High Court, Rijiju said that Parliament cannot be guided by the personal agenda of a lawyer-MP. The Union minister said that Sibal is motivated only by his personal agenda. The Union minister said, “He is a very ordinary lawyer. He cannot guide the Parliament of India. The Parliament of India will be guided by all the MPs.”