Congress MP Jairam Ramesh Flags ‘Shocking’ Cash Recovery At HC Judge’s Home, RS Chairman Responds

Jairam Ramesh requested the Chairman to make observations on the issue and direct the government to propose measures for enhancing judicial accountability.

File photo of Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

Source : PTI

After Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised concerns over the alleged cash recovery from the residence of a sitting Delhi High Court judge, Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar stated on Friday that he would consult with the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition to establish a structured discussion on the matter.

Jairam Ramesh, a Congress MP, urged the Chair to address judicial accountability and reminded him about a pending notice regarding the impeachment of an Allahabad High Court judge.

"This morning, we have read about a shocking case of huge amounts of cash unearthed at the residence of a judge of the Delhi High Court. Earlier, 50 members of Parliament had submitted a notice to the chairman regarding certain remarks that were made by a judge of the Allahabad High Court. You yourself has repeatedly spoken about the urgency for judicial accountability," ANI quoted Ramesh as saying.

He further requested the Chairman to make observations on the issue and direct the government to propose measures for enhancing judicial accountability.

Replaying to Jairam Ramesh Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said in the house, "Hon'ble members, I am seized of a representation by 55 members of this house, and I have taken all necessary steps to get their verification. First mail was sent to all of them and the good thing is most of the members have responded positively, helping me perform my duty. Some members are yet to do. A mail reiterating the same has been sent to them. I have taken all procedural steps but I must share with you one concern that is engaging my attention. Of the 55 members who signed the representation, a member's signature appears on two occasions, and the member concerned has denied his signature."

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He further noted that the process is not going to be delayed at his level at any point in time. He also asked all the members of the house to respond to the mail sent to them.

"Now, I do not wish to get into this act, which may graduate to culpability to a higher level. If the number is above 50, I will proceed accordingly. Therefore, most of the members have cooperated. Those members who have not done so far, may please do it in response to the second mail sent to them. Then the process will not be delayed at my level even for a moment," he added.

Dhankhar stated that in order to evolve a structured discussion, he would now get in touch with the leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha and the leader of the house as well.

"Coming to the second aspect, the Leader of the House is not here. I had the occasion to reflect in a very focused manner that what appears in the Indian Constitution has to emanate first from our founding fathers, and then any change affected whatsoever has to be sanctified by the Parliament and in some cases, by 50 per cent of state legislatures and then finally it gets constitutional sanction with the Hon'ble President signing it under article 111, and therefore I had pleaded with the leader of the house that the House needs to know that Constitution which according to this directive holds the field today," the Rajya Sabha Chairman said.

"You all will recollect if the mechanism which was passed by this house with near unanimity, with no dissension, only one abstention in Rajya Sabha, all political parties converging, going in for the initiative of the government. I wish to find out the status of that which emanated from the Indian Parliament, made sacrosanct by the endorsement of 16 state assemblies in the country and signed by the Hon'ble President under Article 111 of the Constitution," he also said.

He added that if a politician, bureaucrat, or industrialist faces such a situation, they immediately become a target. Therefore, a systemic response that is transparent, accountable, and effective will surely be forthcoming. I will consult with the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition to establish a structured discussion during the session, subject to their agreement, as I previously discussed with them.  

Dhankhar further stated that since the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the House head their respective parties, they would arrive at a well-considered decision.

"We have, fortunately, the House is blessed, the Leader of the House who is also president of the ruling political party, Leader of the Opposition who is also the president of the main opposition party. So with these two very distinguished people being present in the house, I am sure their counsel and others will also come and then I'll discuss. We need to have some structured discussion which so far we have not had," the RS Chairman further added.