Govt working to form committee to probe allegations against Justice Verma: Sources

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The Centre is working to form a committee to investigate allegations against Justice Yashwant Verma, government sources said.

New Delhi [India], July 23 (HBTV): The Centre is working to form a committee to investigate allegations against Justice Yashwant Verma, government sources said on Wednesday.

Amid the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, sources also stated that the government is not currently considering any discussion in Parliament on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being conducted by the Election Commission in Bihar.

This development follows Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's recent statement that over 100 MPs have signed in support of the impeachment process against Justice Verma, who is under scrutiny after burnt cash was discovered at his residence.

‘The signature (collection) is underway, and it has crossed 100 already,’ Rijiju said, in response to a question regarding the status of the impeachment signatures.

When asked whether the Parliament would take up the matter during the current Monsoon Session, the Union Minister replied, ‘In the Justice Varma case, the process will be undertaken together by all parties. This is not the move by the government alone.’ He added, ‘I can't comment on any business in terms of priority until and unless the matter is passed by the BAC (Business Advisory Committee) with the approval of the Chair. It is difficult to make an announcement outside.’

On Monday, Members of Parliament submitted a memorandum to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking the removal of High Court Justice Yashwant Verma in connection with the cash recovery controversy.

A total of 145 Lok Sabha members signed the impeachment motion against Justice Verma under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution.

The signatories included MPs from various parties such as the Congress, TDP, JDU, JDS, Jan Sena Party, AGP, SS (Shinde), LJSP, SKP, and CPM.

Prominent names among the signatories include Anurag Singh Thakur, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, PP Chaudhary, Supriya Sule, and KC Venugopal.

Earlier, sources indicated that the committee under formation may include a judge of the Supreme Court, a chief justice from one of the High Courts, and a distinguished jurist.

Notices for Justice Verma's removal were submitted on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. (ANI)