Will move impeachment motion against Allahabad HC judge: MP

Senior National Conference leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said on Tuesday that he will move an impeachment motion in the Parliament for the removal of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting Judge of the Allahabad High Court.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday called for details regarding the conduct of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court over his speech at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event in which he allegedly endorsed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and made certain controversial remarks against Muslims.

Srinagar MP Mehdi wrote on X that he needed signatures of 100 members to move the motion and more than seven members have signed it. Mehdi said he has also talked to members of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Trinamool Congress. “They assured me that they will sign and support the motion after consultation with their respective party leaderships,” he said.

“I am hopeful that they will support this motion because these are the parties who believe in the idea of India and its principles and values,” he said.

Copy of the motion posted by the MP on X said, “This House resolves to present an address to the President of India for the removal of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting Judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, from office on the charge of proved misbehaviour.”

“The statements and actions of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, as documented in video evidence and as reported by news organisations, constitute a violation of the foundational principles of judicial conduct and constitutional mandate.”

The MP has mentioned the statements made by Justice Yadav. In a purported video of his speech widely circulated on social media, Justice Yadav can be seen saying that the law should work according to the majority. Justice Yadav had reportedly said that the main aim of the UCC was to promote social harmony, gender equality and secularism.