Naidu blocks CJI Misra's impeachment, says can't allow our pillars of governance to be weakened

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rejected the Congress-led impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.

Naidu, who could alone take the decision on the notice being the Rajya Sabha chairman, on Sunday held deliberations with legal experts before rejecting the notice given by the Congress-led Opposition.

The Vice President explained the swiftness of his decision in a 10-page note and said that the CJI could not be held guilty as the notice was "neither desirable nor proper and lacked substantial merit".

Also Read | ‘Congress committed suicide by moving impeachment motion against CJI’

Here is what Venkaiah Naidu said:

# All facts as stated in the motion don't make out a case which can lead any reasonable mind to conclude that Chief Justice on these facts can be ever held guilty of misbehaviour.

# In the absence of credible and verifiable information placed before me which gives an indication of ‘misbehaviour’ or ‘incapacity’, it would be an inappropriate and irresponsible act to accept statements which have a little empirical basis.

# As heirs to an illustrious democratic tradition and custodians of the present and future of democratic polity, we should, in my view, collectively strengthen and not erode the foundations of the grand edifice bequeathed to us by the Constitution makers.

# We cannot allow any of our pillars of governance to be weakened by an thought, word or action.

# After having perused annexures to the motion and having detailed consultations and having studied the opinions of Constitutional experts, I am satisfied that admission of this Notice of Motion is neither desirable nor proper.