New Delhi, February 25 A judge cannot be removed by Parliament for a judicial pronouncement, according to parliamentary sources on Wednesday, in response to the opposition's move to impeach a judge of the Madras High Court over his ruling allowing Hindu devotees to light a lamp at the 'Deepathoon' pillar on Thirupparankundram hill.
They stated that corruption, misconduct, and other misdeeds can be grounds for removing a judge of the Supreme Court or a high court.
The removal of a Supreme Court or high court judge is popularly known as 'impeachment'.
In December last year, more than 100 opposition MPs, led by the DMK, had given notice to remove Madras High Court judge G R Swaminathan following his ruling that allowed Hindu devotees to light a lamp at the 'Deepathoon' pillar atop Thirupparankundram hill. The site, located near a dargah, was deemed temple land by the judgment.
The DMK government in Tamil Nadu had argued that the verdict caused communal tension.
A two-judge bench later upheld the verdict.
While giving notice for removal, the opposition had claimed that the order violated long-standing practices and threatened public peace.