CJI seeks impeachment of Calcutta High Court judge

NEW DELHI- The Government is preparing to move a motion in Parliament for impeachment of Calcutta High Court judge Soumitra Sen, following Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan's recommendation for his removal on charges of "misconduct." The CJI's suggestion for action against Justice Sen, who continues to be in office without any work being allotted to him, was sent last month to the Prime Minister's Office which, in turn, sent it to the Law Ministry for advice. "I have received the papers a few days ago. We are examining them and preparing to take necessary action," Law Minister H R Bhardwaj said on Monday. "The CJI has recommended initiating impeachment process so we shall have to go to Parliament on the matter," he said. "No body can stop it because it (suggestion) came from the CJI," he said. This will be the second-ever impeachment process against a member of the country's higher judiciary. In the internal inquiry held by the CJI on the matter, Justice Sen was allegedly found to have indulged in a financial misconduct prior to his elevation. He is accused of receiving Rs 32 lakh as court-appointed receiver in a lawsuit between Steel Authority of India Ltd and Shipping Corporation of India and deposited the amount in his personal account. The CJI-appointed three-member committee found Justice Sen guilty of misconduct in depositing the money in his personal account and preferring to retain it even after being elevated to the High Court in 2003. The Government will now move an impeachment motion either in Lok Sabha or in Rajya Sabha. The presiding officers of the Houses shall then set up a peers committee to look into the matter and if the charges are found true, both the Houses will have to pass the motion.

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