After VP Dhankhar resigns, Lok Sabha takes charge of the high-stakes probe into Justice Varma’s allegations under the Judges Inquiry Act. Get full details on the unfolding investigation.
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NEW DELHI: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who also served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, has officially resigned from his position, citing health reasons. His unexpected resignation has not only reshaped the Rajya Sabha’s leadership but also triggered a crucial step in Parliament concerning allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
The resignation comes just days after 152 Lok Sabha Members of Parliament submitted a signed motion to Speaker Om Birla on July 21, seeking an inquiry into alleged misconduct by Justice Varma. Simultaneously, a similar notice was submitted to the then-Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar, signed by 63 opposition MPs.
According to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, when a motion is admitted in both Houses, a joint inquiry committee must be constituted to examine the charges. With Dhankhar stepping down, the procedural responsibility now falls primarily on the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Composition of Committee
The law prescribes that the committee shall consist of:
- The Chief Justice of India or any other judge of the Supreme Court,
- The Chief Justice of a High Court, and
- An eminent jurist.
Speaker Om Birla is expected to formally write to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to recommend suitable judicial members for the committee. The distinguished jurist will be selected at the discretion of the Lok Sabha Speaker.
In the wake of Dhankhar’s resignation, senior political leaders and constitutional functionaries have entered into urgent consultations. Sources confirm discussions involving Home Minister Amit Shah, Rajya Sabha Leader of the House J.P. Nadda, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh.
The focus of these deliberations is to ensure a legally sound and procedurally consistent approach to the inquiry in the absence of the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968
The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, provides the legal framework for investigating charges of misbehavior or incapacity against judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. Once a motion garners enough support and is admitted in either House, it compels the formation of a three-member investigative committee.
In Justice Varma’s case, since the motion has been duly submitted in both Houses, and given the seriousness of the allegations, the process must now move toward fact-finding and evaluation by the inquiry panel.
With the Speaker likely to reach out to the CJI soon and the selection of the jurist expected to follow swiftly, the formation of the inquiry committee appears imminent. Once constituted, the committee will be vested with full authority to:
- Conduct an independent investigation,
- Examine documentary and oral evidence,
- Summon witnesses if necessary, and
- Submit a comprehensive report to Parliament.
The findings of this committee will ultimately decide Justice Yashwant Varma’s judicial future, whether he continues to serve on the Bench or faces further parliamentary action.
Click Here to Read More Reports On Ex- VP Jagdeep Dhankhar
