Ansari admits impeachment motion against judge

Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari has admitted a motion for impeaching Justice S K Gangele of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The petition for the impeachment of Justice Gangele follows charges of sexual harassment against him by a former Additional District and Sessions Judge. A Rajya Sabha bulletin said, “The Chairman has, under section 3 […]

The next step would be the constitution of an inquiry panel comprising a Supreme Court judge, the chief justice of a high court and a distinguished jurist.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari has admitted a motion for impeaching Justice S K Gangele of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The petition for the impeachment of Justice Gangele follows charges of sexual harassment against him by a former Additional District and Sessions Judge.

A Rajya Sabha bulletin said, “The Chairman has, under section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, admitted the following Motion received from Shrimati Wansuk Syiem and other Members (total fifty-eight) the notice of which was given under Article 217 read with Article 124 (4) of the Constitution of India.”

[related-post]

The motion cited three grounds of misconduct for an impeachment: “Sexual harassment” of the woman judge; “victimisation” of the judge “for not submitting to his illegal and immoral demands”, including, but not limited to, transferring her from Gwalior to Sidhi; and “misusing” his position as the administrative judge of the MP High Court to use the subordinate judiciary to victimise the judge.

The move was spearheaded by JD(U) president Sharad Yadav and the signatories included Digvijaya Singh (Congress), Sitaram Yechury (CPM), Derek O’ Brien (TMC), Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) and Satish Mishra (BSP). As per the Judges Inquiry Act of 1968, the motion has been kept pending till “further action”. The next step would be the constitution of an inquiry panel comprising a Supreme Court judge, the chief justice of a high court and a distinguished jurist.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram