It's a first; impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra
What seemed to have been corridor gossip inside Supreme Court began to take an ugly turn
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra faces the impeachment motion against him by seven opposition parties. Misra is the first Chief Justice of India, against whom an impeachment motion has been moved in the parliament.
Over 60 Rajya Sabha Members of the Parliament (MPs) came together to hand over notice for the impeachment of CJI to Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, M Venkaiah Naidu.
What lead to this particular crisis? In the recent past the CJI has been facing severe criticism from lawmakers and fellow judges of allocating some cases to obtain favourable orders. The Supreme Courts' dismissal of the demand to reinvestigate death of Judge BH Loya brought the dissent in the open and led to the impeachment.
What seemed to have been corridor gossip inside Supreme Court has soon begun to take an ugly turn.
CJI Deepak Misra's direct involvement in certain cases in the recent past has gathered negative attention.
Back in November 2017, Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) counsel Prashant Bhushan had requested CJI's recusal in the medical bribery college case (which was being heard by CJI and allegations of bribery to senior judges to obtain favourable orders, were made).
It was Judge Loya's case that has been the mother trigger. And many believe it was a good chance for CJI to prove all allegations wrong and order a probe in the judge's uncertain death.
For a young practicing High Court Advocate, who doesn't want to be named, "This is not only the darkest phase in the history of the Supreme Court but also that the legislature is stronger than the judiciary".