Global Governanace News

Tag: Supreme Court order

  • LS Speaker Reconstitutes Panel to Probe Justice Varma

    LS Speaker Reconstitutes Panel to Probe Justice Varma

    • Om Birla reconstitutes three-member probe panel
    • Committee to examine impeachment grounds against Justice Yashwant Varma
    • Supreme Court dismisses Varma’s challenge to impeachment process
    • Allegations surfaced after burnt cash found at Delhi residence

    GG News Bureau
    New Delhi, 26th Feb: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reconstituted a three-member committee to investigate corruption allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.

    According to a notice issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the panel has been formed to investigate the grounds on which the removal of Justice Varma has been sought.

    The committee comprises Supreme Court Judge Justice Aravind Kumar, Bombay High Court Chief Justice Shri Chandrashekhar, and senior advocate BV Acharya.

    SC Dismisses Appeal
    The move follows the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Justice Varma’s appeal challenging the decision to admit an impeachment motion and the validity of the probe panel.

    A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma held that statutory provisions cannot be used to stall parliamentary proceedings, observing that the arguments raised lacked legal foundation.

    Background of Allegations
    The controversy arose after firefighters responding to a call at Justice Varma’s official residence in New Delhi during Holi last year reportedly discovered burnt bundles of currency notes. The incident triggered nationwide concern and allegations of corruption.

    Justice Varma denied any knowledge of the cash, terming the accusations “preposterous”.

    Earlier, an in-house panel constituted by the Supreme Court had recommended impeachment. The report was subsequently forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    The impeachment motion against Justice Varma had been endorsed by 146 Members of Parliament.

    With the reconstitution of the committee, the process to examine the removal motion is set to proceed in accordance with parliamentary procedure.

  • CBI Summons TVK Chief Vijay in Karur Stampede Case

    CBI Summons TVK Chief Vijay in Karur Stampede Case

    • CBI summons Vijay for questioning in Karur stampede case
    • Supreme Court had ordered CBI probe
    • 41 people died, over 60 injured during Vijay’s rally
    • Security lapses and overcrowding flagged by officials

    GG News Bureau
    Chennai, 6th Jan: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay for questioning in connection with the Karur stampede case. He has been asked to appear before the agency on Monday, January 12.

    The Supreme Court had earlier ordered a CBI probe into the tragedy in which 41 people lost their lives and at least 60 others were injured during Vijay’s rally held on September 27 in Karur district.

    According to officials, nearly 30,000 people had gathered at a venue with a capacity of about 10,000, leading to massive overcrowding. Security guidelines were allegedly violated and arrangements for food and drinking water were inadequate, which aggravated the situation.

    Vijay was scheduled to arrive at the venue at 12 pm but reportedly reached around 7 pm, by which time the crowd had swelled further. His arrival is said to have triggered another surge as supporters rushed towards his campaign bus. Many climbed trees, rooftops and power lines, forcing authorities to cut electricity supply to prevent electrocution.

    Officials said that as Vijay arrived, people began pushing one another and even threw slippers at the campaign bus to draw his attention, causing several to faint. Police subsequently resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

    A day after the incident, Vijay announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for the injured. His statewide tour was also suspended.

    TVK’s Karur West District Secretary Mathiyazhagan was arrested in connection with the case, with police citing lapses in arrangements. He was later released after a court declined to extend his judicial custody.

    More than a month after the tragedy, Vijay met the families of the victims at a resort in Mamallapuram near Chennai, where he apologised for the incident and for not being able to visit Karur immediately after the stampede.