New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, 55 opposition MPs on Friday submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking the impeachment of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court. The notice, submitted under the Judges’ (Inquiry) Act, 1968, and Article 218 of the Constitution, accuses Justice Yadav of delivering a speech at a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event that allegedly violated judicial ethics and constitutional principles.
The notice, signed by prominent leaders including Kapil Sibal, Digvijaya Singh, P Chidambaram, and Raghav Chadha, alleges that Justice Yadav’s remarks amounted to hate speech, incitement to communal disharmony, and displayed bias against minority communities.
According to the notice, Justice Yadav’s statements “contravened the secular ethos of the Constitution” and violated the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life, 1997, which prohibits judges from engaging in political debates or expressing views on contentious public issues.
The opposition MPs highlighted several controversial statements made by Justice Yadav at the VHP event on December 8. Among them was his assertion that “the country would function according to the wishes of the majority in India.” The judge also reportedly expressed strong support for a uniform civil code, framing it as a measure to promote social harmony, gender equality, and secularism.
The notice argues that such remarks “encourage animosity and division among different religious and communal groups.” It further states that Justice Yadav’s actions violated Article 51A(e) of the Constitution, which mandates promoting harmony and renouncing practices derogatory to individual dignity.
The MPs, who met with the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General minutes before Friday’s session, have urged the Chairman of the Upper House to admit the motion and forward it to the President of India. They also demanded the constitution of an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations and recommended Justice Yadav’s removal if the charges are proven.
“The statements, which have been widely documented and reported, undermined the impartiality of the judiciary and tarnished its credibility,” the notice read.
Videos of Justice Yadav’s speech, which circulated widely on social media, have sparked outrage, with opposition leaders accusing him of undermining the secular fabric of the nation. The Supreme Court on Tuesday took note of media reports on the incident and sought details from the Allahabad High Court.
At the VHP event, Justice Yadav defended the uniform civil code as a step towards national integration. However, critics argue that his comments on the law favouring the majority were inflammatory and breached judicial decorum.