SC may be moved on CJI impeachment rejection: Tulsi

Nominated Rajya Sabha member K.T.S. Tulsi on Monday said the opposition parties have the option of moving the Supreme Court against the order of Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu rejecting their impeachment notice against Chief Justice Dipak Misra.

Tulsi, who was among the signatories to the impeachment notice, disagreed with the order of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, who on Monday rejected the motion.

"I think that this question of interpretation of the Constitution arises where it seems that the interpretation is incorrect and I believe that we can challenge this order in a court of law.

"That decision will be taken by everybody concerned whoever has signed," Tulsi told NDTV.

He claimed that the impeachment notice given by members of the Congress and six other opposition parties last week had enough evidence.

"We say that there is enough evidence of misbehaviour and the evidence has been annexed," Tulsi said.

"But it's not for the Vice President to examine the material on merits. The Vice President, the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, at this stage has only to consider as to whether the motion is valid.

"And for that the condition is only one -- it should be signed by 50 members of Rajya Sabha. If it is signed by 50 members of the Upper House then the opinion of 50 members must be respected that this is a serious enough matter and it should be examined by the committee," he said.

Tulsi said that the three-member committee, which goes into the charges if the impeachment notice is admitted, has been given the power of the civil court.

He said it can summon witnesses and also give an opportunity to the judge concerned.

--IANS

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