New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) Seventy-five Rajya Sabha members, led by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Monday submitted a petition to upper house Chairman Hamid Ansari for impeaching Justice P.D. Dinakaran. The Karnataka High Court chief justice faces allegations of land grabbing and amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income.
"Notice of the motion signed by 75 members of the Rajya Sabha under Judges (Enquiry) Act, 1968, for removal of Justice P.D. Dinakaran was presented to the chairman of Rajya Sabha today (Monday)," an official statement said.
BJP leader S.S. Ahluwalia said the notice seeking Dinakaran's impeachment has the signatures of 75 MPs, including from the BJP, Janata Dal-United, Shiromani Akali Dal, Asom Gana Parishad, Biju Janata Dal, the Left parties, Samajwadi Party, DMK and Telugu Desam Party.
As per constitutional procedure, the chairman is now required to constitute a committee of three people - a sitting Supreme Court judge, a high court chief justice and a jurist - to inquire into the charges and submit the report to the house.
If they find the judge guilty and recommend his removal, the matter is sent for voting to parliament where the motion has to be approved by a two-thirds majority of each house (present and voting) and an absolute majority of the total membership of each house.
Ahluwalia said the constitution "is silent" about the time frame to set the process in motion and constitute the committee.
"Let's see what action he (the chairman) takes," he told reporters in Parliament House.
The BJP leaders said there was enough evidence which could form the basis for Dinakaran's impeachment.
"Dinakaran has acquired huge illegal wealth through benami (nameless) transactions, unlawfully secured huge plots of land, has misused official position. His conduct has shaken the faith of people in the judiciary," Ahluwalia alleged.
The ruling Congress party members do not figure among the signatories on the notice.
Congress spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Abhishek Manu Singhvi said his party was yet to take decision on the matter.
"The Congress has not taken a decision on the issue. So it is not proper to comment on it," Singhvi told IANS.
Dinakaran faces allegations of acquiring disproportionate wealth after he allegedly played a key role in helping the Karnataka's Reddy brothers bag an "illegal" mining project. His elevation to the Supreme Court has been held back after the central government returned the file recommending his promotion. The Supreme Court collegium is yet to take a decision on it.