National Conference leader and Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi announced on Tuesday his intention to submit a notice in Parliament seeking an impeachment motion against Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav. The motion stems from alleged remarks made by Justice Yadav at a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event, which Mehdi described as inflammatory and biased.
Mehdi stated that the motion is being initiated under Article 124(4) of the Constitution, which governs the procedure for the removal of a sitting judge. “I am moving an impeachment motion in the Parliament for the removal of this Justice, Shekhar K. Yadav, on the charges mentioned in the notice,” Mehdi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The controversy arose after Justice Yadav spoke at a convention organized by the VHP’s legal cell and high court unit on December 8. During his speech, he reportedly advocated for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), describing it as a tool to promote social harmony, gender equality, and secularism. However, subsequent videos circulated on social media depicted the judge making contentious remarks, including suggestions that laws should reflect the majority’s will. These comments drew criticism from opposition leaders, who accused him of promoting divisive rhetoric and questioned his participation in a politically affiliated event.
Mehdi claimed to have secured initial support for the motion from Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, and Trinamool Congress members. He emphasized the importance of garnering broader backing, stating, “I need the signatures of 100 members to move this motion. So far, more than seven members, including Asaduddin Owaisi, Rajkumar Roat (Rajasthan), Sudhama Prasad (Bihar), Mohibbullah (Uttar Pradesh), and Ziau Rahman (Uttar Pradesh), have signed it. I thank them for their support.”
The call for impeachment highlights ongoing concerns over judicial neutrality and the perception of bias in sensitive cases. Mehdi’s efforts signal a broader attempt by opposition parties to hold the judiciary accountable for actions they believe compromise its impartiality.