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SC says MPs’ public statements on impeachment unfortunate (Lead)
New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday dubbed as “unfortunate” the public statements by politicians on the issue of the impeachment of members of the higher judiciary.
“It is unfortunate. We are all disturbed over what is happening,” Justice A.K. Sikri, who was on the Division Bench, said.
The apex court observation came while hearing a plea for direction to lay down guidelines/modalities to regulate the procedure to be followed by Members of Parliament desirous of initiating the process for the removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, prior to initiating an impeachment motion.
Later on Friday, in an unprecedented move, 64 Rajya Sabha members from seven political parties led by the Congress submitted an impeachment motion for the removal of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on five grounds of “misbehaviour”.
Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for NGO In Pursuit of Justice, told the apex court earlier that politicians were making all kinds of public statements on the removal of a Judge without any motion to this effect before Parliament.
She averred that there can be no discussion and the issue of impeachment cannot be made public till a certain point.
The bench, also comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, said: “Legislators are also supposed to follow rules.”
As Arora sought a gag order on the media on the impeachment process against the CJI in Parliament, the bench declined by saying that it would not restrain the media before hearing the Advocate General of India and declined to pass any order at this stage.
The court sought the assistance of Attorney General K.K. Venugopal on the issues raised in the petition and posted the matter for May 7.
Arora told the bench that the Law Commission report suggested a restraining order on the media and there was also a constitutional provision to restrain the media from writing on impeachment as it will affect the Judge from “discharging his judicial function”.
“Judges have to act fearlessly,” the lawyer said, adding that politicians have been publicly speaking on the issue and the media was reporting, which affected the functioning of the judiciary.
The matter was heard in the court hours before the opposition MPs moved the impeachment motion against CJI Misra.
The petition also filed by lawyer Shirin Merchant said that “it’s absolutely essential that the judiciary must be free from executive pressure or influence”.
“The act of certain parliamentarians, although vested with the power of initiating the process for the removal of a Judge, (are) nevertheless circulating, publishing and bringing in the public domain a draft motion for the removal of a Judge is nothing less than intimidating and threatening the judiciary and amounts to interference in the effective administration of justice,” the petition said.
It added that in the absence of any guidelines or modalities, discussions, deliberations and preparation done by parliamentarians for the proposed impeachment motion, if brought within the public domain for removal, poses a sure peril to judicial independence, which may become a norm or precedent, and was likely to set a dangerous trend in times to come, if not curbed immediately.
The petition sought direction for guidelines/modalities to regulate the procedure to be followed prior to initiation of an impeachment motion under Article 124(4) and (5) and 217 (1)(b) of the Constitution, or to request the Law Commission to suggest appropriate guidelines.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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