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Deccan Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Justice Verma to be impeached? All parties on board, says Union minister Kiren Rijiju
New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that all political parties are on board on the issue of the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose residence burnt wads of currency notes were found."I have spoken to all the senior leaders of different political parties. I will also get in touch with some of the single-MP parties because I do not want to leave out any member. So it becomes a unified stand of the Parliament of India," Rijiju said in an exclusive video interview with minister asserted that it is not the government but members of Parliament cutting across party lines, including from the Congress, who are in favour of moving a motion to remove Justice MPs will be among signatories: Jairam Ramesh on proposed motion against Justice Varma in LS."Corruption in the judiciary is an extremely sensitive and serious matter, because the judiciary is where people get justice. If there is corruption in the judiciary, it is a serious concern for everybody. That is why the motion for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma is to be signed by all the political parties," he said he is happy that the principal opposition party, Congress, has understood the severity of the matter and agreed to be on board on the issue."I am happy that they understood the things as they should be because no party can be seen to be standing with a corrupt judge or protecting a corrupt judge," he Yashwant Varma moves SC; questions validity of inquiry report, recommendation for removal."When it comes to corruption in the judiciary, we have to stand together. There cannot be any partisan attitude and it should not be made a political issue," Rijiju Congress has said all its MPs will support the motion against Justice said a motion for the removal of a judge has to be signed by not less than 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya petition has to be submitted to the chair, who will inform the House, constitute an inquiry in accordance with the Judges Inquiry Act and get a report in three months."So the three-month-period requirement will have to be fulfilled. And after that the inquiry report will be tabled in Parliament and a discussion held in both Houses," Rijiju said.A fire incident at Justice Varma's Lutyens' Delhi residence in March, when he was a judge of the Delhi High Court, had led to the discovery of sacks of half-burnt cash in the Varma was subsequently repatriated to the Allahabad High Court but no judicial work was assigned to him. An in-house probe ordered by then chief justice of India Sanjeev Khanna has indicted Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing, the inquiry panel has concluded that the judge and his family members had covert or active control over the storeroom, where the cash was found, proving his misconduct serious enough to seek his former law minister Kapil Sibal's remarks drawing a parallel between Justice Varma and Justice Shekhar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court over the latter's "controversial" statement, Rijiju said Parliament cannot be guided by "one lawyer-MP's personal agenda".Noting that Sibal is a senior person, the minister alleged that he is only driven by his "personal agenda"."We will not be driven by one lawyer-MP's agenda. We are not here to set an agenda or drive an agenda. We are working purely in the interest of the country," he said Sibal does not realise that many MPs have gone far beyond him in terms of understanding, intellectual capability and the knowledge of law."He is a very average lawyer.... He cannot guide the Parliament of India. The Parliament of India will be guided by all the members of Parliament," he said.
New Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Digital India's promise falls short: Lok Sabha RTI filing stuck in past
AHMEDABAD: Ten years after the launch of the ambitious Digital India mission, citizens still cannot file RTI applications online with the Parliament of India. Despite a national RTI portal enabling digital filing for central ministries, the Lok Sabha lacks any such mechanism, forcing applicants to rely on outdated physical methods involving postal orders or in-person visits. Even the Digital Sansad portal, created to offer accessible parliamentary information, fails to provide a link or option for filing RTIs. This glaring loophole exposes a serious disconnect between Digital India's promises and Parliament's digital preparedness. The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, empowers citizens to hold authorities accountable. In line with this, the Central Government launched an online portal, allowing RTIs to be filed digitally with all Union ministries, saving both time and money. But Parliament, despite being the very institution that passed the Act, has no online filing mechanism of its own.
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Parliament working to constitute Parliamentary Friendship Groups to strengthen global ties: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
By Nishant Ketu New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): In a major step towards enhancing India's parliamentary diplomacy, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla informed that the Parliament of India is working to constitute Parliamentary Friendship Groups to strengthen bonds with Parliaments at global level. On the sidelines of the National Conference of Estimates Committees of Parliament and State/UT Legislative Bodies, Birla informed that formation of parliamentary groups, aimed at fostering stronger international relationships, are expected to be officially initiated after consultations with all political parties in the upcoming Monsoon Session. Birla told media that such friendship groups have proven to be effective in building mutual understanding and cooperation among parliaments. The Indian Parliament is also moving in this direction. Lok Sabha Speaker said that these groups will be formed for different countries and will include Members of Parliament from across the parties. They will function as instruments of parliamentary diplomacy, enabling lawmakers to engage directly with their counterparts abroad, share best practices and deepen bilateral ties. The initiative is expected to open new avenues for collaboration in areas such as trade, education, culture and technology through people-to-people and parliament-to-parliament contact. It also reflects India's growing emphasis on diplomacy that goes beyond traditional executive channels. It is pertinent to note that government sent seven groups of All-party delegation in various countries to project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations after Operation Sindoor. This was the first time that the Centre deployed MPs from multiple parties to present India's stance on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. These groups received a very positive response from all the countries, which they visited. It also gives an idea to take such initiative to strengthen relationship with various countries. Birla expressed his hope that if all parties reach a consensus on this initiative, the Parliamentary Friendship Groups will mark a significant step in strengthening India's soft power and global engagement through the legislative route. (ANI)
India Gazette
31-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Indian all party parliamentary outreach influences global narrative on Operation Sindoor
Bogota [Colombia], May 31 (ANI): All-Party Delegation leader and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the All-Party delegation was pleased at how Colombia retracted its stance in favour of India with regards to Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Colombia's Vice Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio told ANI that Colombia changed its stance after having received complete information on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. 'We have had a dialogue today with the delegation of many different parties of the Parliament of India. We are very confident that with the explanation received and with the detailed information that they have regarding the real situation and the conflict between what happened in Kashmir, we can follow and continue the dialogue and continue and be aware of what is happening,' she told ANI. Earlier, Tharoor flagged the concern and said that India was disappointed with Colombia condoling the deaths of Pakistani terrorists that died in the Indian strikes. 'And our only disappointment with the earlier statement by Colombia was that it seemed to have overlooked this difference. We're very pleased to learn that that statement has been withdrawn, as you also mentioned, and we are also very pleased that you, as representatives of the people of Colombia,' he said. Tharoor on Friday (local time) said that Colombia will issue a statement of strong support for India's position after the country withdrew their statement condoling the deaths of Pakistanis in Indian strikes. Tharoor is leading the multi-party delegation to the Americas. After visiting Panama and Guyana, Tharoor and his delegation arrived in Colombia on Thursday in an effort of India's global outreach to convey India's zero tolerance against terrorism. After concluding the Colombia visit, the all-party delegation will be heading to Brazil and the United States on Saturday. In a similar outreach, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi on Friday (local time), who is leading an all-party delegation to Latvia, emphasised India's unity following the Pahalgam terror attack and said that 'nothing is going to divide us anymore.' Interacting with the Indian diaspora in Latvia, Kanimozhi said, 'When our Indian tourists were attacked and we lost 26 innocent lives in front of their families, loved ones, children and with a message - Go tell your Prime Minister, go tell your country people that we asked you what your faith is. They hope to divide us as a country. They hope to divide us on our beliefs. But when the people of Kashmir came out to the streets to protest against Pakistan as Indians and stood together, the message was very clear that nothing is going to divide us anymore.' Interacting with the Indian diaspora in Latvia, Kanimozhi said, 'When our Indian tourists were attacked and we lost 26 innocent lives in front of their families, loved ones, children and with a message - Go tell your Prime Minister, go tell your country people that we asked you what your faith is. They hope to divide us as a country. They hope to divide us on our beliefs. But when the people of Kashmir came out to the streets to protest against Pakistan as Indians and stood together, the message was very clear that nothing is going to divide us anymore.' Meanwhile, the delegation led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, which includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hemang Joshi (BJP), Salman Khurshid, and Mohan Kumar, has amassed support from the countries they visited. Khurshid, a member of the All-Party Delegation, highlighted the apparent chaos within Pakistan, citing factions within the army vying for power and the civilian government's lack of control. Despite this, he praised India's restraint and patience in the face of such challenges. 'But the shelling across the border and the LoC continued for at least three or four hours. There were violations of the ceasefire once again, making it very clear that in Pakistan, nobody seems to be in control. The civilian government doesn't seem to be in control. There are factions within the army, each vying with each other to become powerful. Nevertheless, we showed restraint and patience,' added Khurshid. Khurshid clarified that India did not initiate contact with Pakistan, but rather received a call from Pakistan's DGMO for cessation of hostilities during Operation Sindoor. The all-party delegation member explained that India stopped its actions when Pakistan's DGMO requested cessation of hostilities and India refrained from further attacks, dismissing claims as 'complete hogwash.' Khurshid emphasised India's aspirations to greatness and stressed that no one should distract India from its path to achieving this goal. 'India is waiting to be great. Nobody will distract us or interfere with that passage of ours. That is why we need to show our strength,' said the Congress leader. Khurshid urged Pakistan to understand India's demand to give up terrorism, highlighting the importance of showing strength. He emphasised that India's message is clear and united, transcending party lines. In a diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, the Modi government has formed seven multi-party delegations to inform nations about Pakistan's links to terrorism and India's strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. (ANI)
India Gazette
30-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Delhi court sentences former MLA to 6 months in jail for threatening to blow up Parliament
New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on Friday sentenced ex-MLA Kishore Samrite to six months of imprisonment for giving a threat to blow up Parliament in September 2022. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him. Samrite is an ex-MLA from Lanji and was convicted of making a threat to blow up the Parliament. On 18.02.2025, the court had convicted him for the offence punishable under section 506 Part II IPC for writing a letter containing a threat. Special judge Vishal Gogne, after hearing submissions on the quantum of sentence, awarded Kishore Samrite six months imprisonment and fined him Rs 50,000. The court has granted him bail to appeal against the judgment. Samrite was acquitted of the offence under the Explosives Act,1884, as the suspicious substance could not be proved an explosive. The court pointed out, 'However, it still bears utmost reiteration that the threatening letter and the suspicious substance were sent to the Parliament of India, which is the temple of Indian democracy.' An FIR under sections 5(a) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 & 9B(1)(b) of the Explosive Act,1884 was registered by the Crime Branch, Delhi police. The allegation against him was that he threatened to blow up the Parliament of India and the then under construction building of the Parliament with dynamite at 11:00 o'clock on 30.09.2022 by sending a letter of threat (containing certain demands) and a suspicious substance to the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha on 16.09.2022. While sentencing Samrite for the offence under section 506 (II) IPC, the court said that the convict was not just an ordinary citizen. He is a former MLA from Lanji, District Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. The court also said that being most acquainted and sensitised to the security of Parliamentary establishments and more so to the sanctity of such representative institutions, his dispatch of such a threatening letter to the Parliament acted to normalise the threat of violence towards the elected Houses of the Parliament. 'If such conduct is not deterred, it raises the prospect of others emulating the course taken by Mr. Samrite for voicing his dissent towards government policies. Perhaps, every such threat would not be accompanied by harmless substances,' the special judge observed. The court further said that Parliament It is a forum where issues of all hues and pertaining to national interest are expected to be discussed with decorum and in deference to public aspirations. 'For the highest contemplative body of the country to be subjected to a threat of being blown up with dynamite and the threatening letter to actually be accompanied by a suspicious substance is indeed a grave circumstance which requires an appropriate sentence,' the court said. 'Considering the above-noted mitigating and aggravating circumstances, convict Kishore Samrite is sentenced to simple imprisonment for six months along with a fine of Rs 50,000 upon conviction under section 506 Part II IPC,' Special Judge Gogne ordered on May 30. During arguments on sentence, the public prosecutor pressed for the maximum sentence of seven years provided under section 506, Part II, IPC. It was also argued that the convict willingly sent a threatening letter to the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha along with a suspicious substance and that even though the suspicious substance did not turn out to be an explosive or explosive substance, the convict is still guilty of causing grave alarm at the Parliament establishment. The Prosecution prayed that a suitably deterrent sentence was required to be imposed for discouraging such violation of the security of the Parliament of India. He is involved in as many as 20 criminal cases and has previously displayed violent tendencies and the inclination to violate the law. On the other hand, the Counsel for Samrite read the contents of the said letter and argued that the tenor of this letter was only to agitate issues of local, national or public concern including alleged scams, creation of new states, issues pertaining to women and youth, encroachment of public land and like issues. The counsel also cited the period of detention of three months and one day already undergone by the convict during trial and submitted that this period, along with the long duration of trial, has already served as severe punishment and time for reflection for the convict. The court noted that Samrite previously convicted under sections 435, 149, 332, 149, 427, 149 and 147 of the Indian Penal Code and under section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act by the Special Judge (SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act), Balaghat, District Balaghat, he is not entitled to be considered for release on probation. (ANI)
