Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Supreme Court Questions Deputy Chairman's Role in Impeachment
The Supreme Court is discussing whether the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha can reject an impeachment motion against a judge when the chairman is absent.
The court questioned why the deputy chairman couldn't perform the chairman's duties, just as the vice president can act for the president.
Justice Yashwant Varma's lawyers argued that only the chairman or Speaker can reject such motions.
The court will decide after reviewing written submissions.
This case started after burnt currency notes were found at Justice Varma's home, leading to corruption allegations.
Supreme Court questioned if the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman can reject an impeachment motion in the chairman's absence.
Justice Varma's lawyers argued only the chairman or Speaker can reject such motions under the Judges (Inquiry) Act.
The court compared the deputy chairman's role to the vice president acting for the president.
The case involves corruption allegations against Justice Varma after burnt currency notes were found at his residence.
The court reserved its verdict and asked for written submissions by Monday.
- Who
- Supreme Court, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, Justice Yashwant Varma, Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
- What
- Supreme Court's remarks on the role of the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman in rejecting an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma
- When
- Thursday (date not specified)
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- To determine the legality of the parliamentary panel probing corruption charges against Justice Varma
- Parties Involved
- Supreme Court, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, Justice Yashwant Varma, Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
- Issue
- Role of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman in rejecting impeachment motion
- Act in Question
- Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968
- Key Argument
- Whether deputy chairman can exercise chairman's powers in absence
- Court's Observation
- Constitution does not work in a vacuum; country cannot have a vacuum in governance
- Next Step
- Written submissions to be submitted by Monday
- Background
- Burnt currency notes found at Justice Varma's residence on March 14