76 RS members want Justice Dinakaran impeached

In further trouble for beleaguered Karnataka Chief Justice P D Dinakaran, a petition seeking impeachment proceedings against him was moved by as many as 76 Rajya Sabha members on Monday.

The MPs belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Left parties, the Samajwadi Party, the Janata Dal (United), the Akali Dal and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam submitted the petition to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari seeking the impeachment of Justice Dinakaran, who is facing allegations of land grabbing.

The petition read as follows: "A notice of the Motion signed by 75 Members of Rajya Sabha under Judges (Enquiry) Act, 1968 for removal of Justice P D Dinakaran, was presented to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha today. The matter is being examined as per the provisions of the Act and the rules framed there under."

Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury told journalists that the MPs moved the petition in exercise of their Constitutional right, as there was a "strong case" with the government returning the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium for Justice Dinakaran's elevation to the apex court.

Leader of Opposition in the upper House Arun Jaitley said that Justice Dinakaran should not continue.

If the motion is admitted, a three-member committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a high court chief justice and a jurist would be set up to go into the issue, he said.

Asked whether Congress members had also signed the petition, he said if the Congress members wanted to join, they are welcome.

SP leader Amar Singh asked how could a chief justice of a high court function if he is not eligible to become a Supreme Court judge.

Justice Dinakaran's elevation to the Supreme Court has been put on hold following allegations of land grabbing. Top jurists like F S Nariman have objected to his elevation accusing him of judicial impropriety.