New Delhi: A major political-legal confrontation has erupted in the wake of the Thiruparankundram Deepam controversy, with MPs from the DMK-led INDIA alliance initiating an unprecedented move to impeach Madras High Court Judge, Justice G.R. Swaminathan. The MPs are collecting signatures on a notice for his removal and plan to submit it to the Parliament Speaker today, accusing the judge of judicial overreach.
The controversy stems from a petition filed by Madurai resident Rama Ravikumar, seeking permission to light the Karthigai Deepam on what he claimed is Deepathoon (light lamp post) atop the Thiruparankundram hill, near a dargah, instead of the traditional location at the Uchipillaiyar Temple. Justice Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench granted the petition, leading to a series of legal and administrative clashes.
Thiruparankundram Deepam Fallout: Judge Faces Impeachment Motion from Ruling Alliance
The Tamil Nadu government and the Madurai District Collector appealed the order before a division bench of Justices Jayachandran and Ramakrishnan. The bench, however, dismissed the appeals, upheld the single judge’s order, and criticized the state government’s petition as being filed with an “ulterior motive.” It also endorsed Justice Swaminathan’s decision to involve CISF personnel for security.
Subsequently, Justice Swaminathan resumed hearing the case, quashed the prohibitory orders (Section 144) imposed by the Collector in the area, and directed the petitioner and ten others to immediately light the lamp on the contested hilltop pillar. The state government has now appealed this order in the Supreme Court.
The Impeachment Push
In response, opposition MPs have launched a concerted campaign against Justice Swaminathan. Led by Madurai CPM MP S. Venkatesan, they are gathering signatures to present a notice for the judge’s removal in Parliament. “We are collecting the signatures of the India Alliance MPs. We will submit them in Parliament on December 9,” Venkatesan stated.
The process, outlined under Article 124(4) of the Constitution, is arduous and has never succeeded in India’s history. It requires the support of at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members to initiate the motion. If this threshold is met, a three-member committee investigates the charges. Its report is then debated in Parliament, and only if a two-thirds majority of those present and voting approves the motion can it be sent to the President for the judge’s removal.
It is to be noted that on Monday, a large number of advocates staged a demo in front of the Madras High Court demanding resignation of Justice GR Swaminathan in the wake of his orders on lighting Deepan atop Thiruparankundram hills.