OPPN MPs file notice for removal from HC judge over comments on UCC, Muslims – Times of India

NEW DELHI: A delegation of opposition Rajya Sabha MPs on Friday submitted a notice to the Secretary General of the Upper House, seeking the removal of Allahabad High Court judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav for his alleged controversial comments against the Uniform Civil Code and Muslims at a recent Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event.
The notice for Yadav’s removal was signed by 55 Opposition MPsincluding Kapil Sibal, Vivek Tankha, Digvijaya Singh, P Wilson, John Brittas, Manoj Kumar Jha, Saket Gokhale, Raghav Chadha and Fauzia Khan. They filed the notice under the Judges’ (Inquiry) Act, 1968 and Article 218 of the Constitution, seeking initiation of proceedings for Yadav’s removal.
The notice said that Yadav’s speech or lecture at the VHP-organised event prima facie showed that he was “engaged in hate speech and encourage it communal disharmony contrary to the Constitution”. It was also said that the judge’s speech prima facie showed that he was targeting minorities and showing bias and prejudice against them.
According to the notice, Yadav entered into public debate or expressed his views in public on political matters relating to UCC, in violation of the Restatement of Values ​​of Judicial Life, 1997. The MPs submitted a video clip of his speech.
The communication states that the three pillars of democracy do not conflict with each other and that there is no reason to allow judges of high courts to sit “to join extremist groups or parties”. where a member has such a biased, prejudiced, publicly expressed opinion against the minority community and in favor of a majority approach.”
The notice also said that Yadav’s actions are “contrary to the directive principles enshrined in Article 51A(e) of the Constitution, which mandates the promotion of harmony and renunciation of practices detrimental to the dignity of individuals”.
“We request the Chairman (of RS) to grant this motion and forward it to the President in accordance with the Judges’ (Inquiry) Act, 1968, and set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the allegations of hate speech, communal disharmony and investigate violations of law. legal ethics‘, the statement said. The MPs also demanded that the Speaker initiate appropriate procedures to remove Yadav from office if the allegations were proven.