Naidu rejects plea on CJI’s removal, Cong to move SC

VP’S SNUB Naidu says petition lacks merit, proof; Cong cries foul, says order has shattered confidence of the people

Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rejected a notice by the Congress and six other opposition parties for the removal of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, saying it lacked substantial merit and the allegations were not tenable.

Naidu held the allegations had a serious tendency of “undermining” the independence of the judiciary. “... it would be inappropriate and irresponsible act to accept statements which have little empirical basis,” Naidu said in his 10-page order that came before the Supreme Court began work on Monday.

The Congress hit out at Naidu and said it would move the Supreme Court to challenge the “illegal order” that “shattered” the confidence of people.

In a first for the country, 64 Rajya Sabha members and seven retired MPs on April 20 submitted a motion to Naidu seeking removal of the CJI, citing five charges of “misbehaviour”.

At least 50 Rajya Sabha or 100 Lok Sabha members have to sign a plea to begin the lengthy procedure for the removal of the country’s top judge.

“I am also aware that it is imperative that we should have extraordinary, important and substantial grounds for the removal of a judge,” Naidu said.

NEWDELHI: I am of the firm opinion that the Notice of Motion does not deserve to be admitted The order is unprecedented, illegal, illadvised and hasty

KAPIL SIBAL, Congress leader