The CPI(M) on Monday said a petition for impeachment of Karnataka Chief Justice P D Dinakaran was moved in the Rajya Sabha as there was a "prima facie" case after the government rejected the recommendations of the collegium for elevating him to the Supreme Court.
"The government has returned the recommendations of the collegium. This very fact suggests that there is a prima facie case which needs to be probed," senior party leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.
He said according to the rules, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha appoints a three-member committee after such a petition. The charges against the judge will be referred to this committee and only then a probe can begin.
"When some allegations have come in public domain, when the government sends back the recommendations of the collegium, we have the responsibility to have the issue examined," Yechury said explaining the resons for moving the impeachment petition along with some other opposition parties.
"We are not only exercising our rights but also discharging our duty," he said adding, an impeachment petition was the only way to probe allegations against a sitting judge.
He said there should be a National Judicial Commission to address such issues. Cautioning against politicisation of the issue, Yechury said if the government rejected the recommendations of the collegium, there has to be a reason.
{{/usCountry}}He said there should be a National Judicial Commission to address such issues. Cautioning against politicisation of the issue, Yechury said if the government rejected the recommendations of the collegium, there has to be a reason.
{{/usCountry}}Asked how did the party view the stand of Congress on the issue, Yechury said it should support the petition.