Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has initiated an inquiry following the discovery that an MP’s signature appeared twice on the list of supporters backing a motion to remove a high court judge. Describing the incident as “serious and culpable”, Dhankhar emphasised that such lapses could erode the integrity of parliamentary processes.
The motion, tabled on Monday, reportedly bears more than 50 signatures required to trigger a formal inquiry. As protocol demands, each signature must be valid. The duplicated entry raised alarm, prompting Dhankhar to order a verification exercise. “If the number is above 50 after scrutiny, proceedings will continue,” he affirmed, underscoring the importance of procedural integrity.
This development marks a fresh escalation in parliamentary oversight of judicial accountability, coming just as the Monsoon Session commenced. Scholars and legal experts note that adherence to strict procedural norms is essential in impeachment proceedings, to maintain both institutional fairness and public confidence.
A similar situation arose earlier this year concerning a motion against Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav. That case also featured duplicated signatories, triggering a signature authentication process. Dhankhar had then warned that signature falsification could lead to serious consequences. Opponents at the time attributed the duplication to administrative miscommunication during the collection of forms.
This time, the motion targets another judge, Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, amid scrutiny after a cash-discovery controversy involving burnt currency notes. MPs aligned with the motion argue that evidence from the in-house committee justifies progressing further. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has stated the role of initiating the motion lies entirely with parliamentarians, distancing the government from direct involvement.
Opposition figures assert that over a hundred MPs have endorsed the motion, exceeding the threshold in both Houses. However, given the duplicate signature, the current tally is under review. A senior Opposition leader commented, “Even with one invalid entry, the signatory count remains well over the minimum.” Parliamentary tradition confirms that 50 Rajya Sabha signatories are mandatory.
The unfolding inquiry places both procedural diligence and political control under the microscope. Dhankhar’s actions have drawn cross-party attention, with MPs observing whether expedited signature verification will influence the motion’s validity before the House. His reputation for strict regulatory oversight—which defined his tenure as VP and Upper House chairman—will face renewed challenge in resolving the matter quickly and transparently.
Today’s signature review is being managed by the Rajya Sabha secretariat. Members flagged for potential duplication have been asked to reconfirm via email. Once verification is complete, Dhankhar will decide whether to admit the motion formally, triggering a debate that could include establishment of an impeachment committee under the Judges Enquiry Act.
Legal analysts caution that while procedural scrutiny is vital, it must avoid being weaponised for partisan gain. One constitutional expert observed: “Robust enforcement of signatures underlines accountability—but the system must not be commandeered to stall legitimate parliamentary functions.” With the Monsoon Session underway until August 21, all eyes are on how swiftly Dhankhar moves from inquiry to adjudication.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has agreed to allow a full Parliamentary review, signalling potential consensus across aisles on judicial probity. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated that procedures would follow constitutional provisions without executive interference.
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