Decision to reject impeachment motion against CJI not hasty, came after 'due diligence': VP Naidu

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu who rejected the unprecedented impeachment notice given by opposition parties led by the Congress against CJI Dipak Misra, on Tuesday defended the step saying that the rejection came after over a month of 'due diligence'.

Naidu had rejected the impeachment notice saying it lacked substantial merit and that the allegations were neither "tenable nor admissible".

"Decision to reject impeachment motion against CJI was not hasty, came after over a month of 'due diligence'. The decision was in strict conformity with provisions of Constitution, Judges Inquiry Act," said the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

Stating that he has done his job and satisfied with it, Naidu said, "Rajya Sabha chairman's office not a mere post office but a constitutional functionary."

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal has said the party would move the Supreme Court to challenge what he said was an "unprecedented, illegal, ill-advised and hasty order" which had shattered the confidence of people and "jeopardised" the legal system. 

Seven opposition parties led by the Congress had last week moved a notice before him for impeachment of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on five grounds of "misbehaviour". 

Rejecting the motion, the vice president in his order held that that the allegations emerging from the present case have a serious tendency of "undermining" the independence of the judiciary.

Naidu also held the "We cannot allow any of our pillars of governance to be weakened by any thought, word or action." 

"In the absence of credible and verifiable information placed before me which gives an indication of 'misbehavior' or 'incapacity', it would be inappropriate and irresponsible act to accept statement which have little imperial basis," he said.

The vice president said the MPs, who have presented the petition, are themselves "unsure" of their own case as the phrases used by them indicate "a mere suspicion, a conjecture or are assumptions".