Impeachment explainer and options before Oppn if Chairman rejects motion

Article 124 of the Constitution lays down the procedure for removal of a judge of the Supreme Court, including the CJI

* Proceedings for removal of a judge are undertaken under Article 124 of the Constitution (for the removal of a Supreme Court judge) and Article 218 (for removal of a High Court judge).

* Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, codifies the process for removal of judges.

* Judges can be removed from office through a motion adopted by Parliament on grounds of ‘proven misbehaviour or incapacity’.

* A judge can be removed only on an order from the President based on a motion passed by both Houses of Parliament.

* The Constitution does not mention the word ‘impeachment’, but the term