New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday addressed the notice submitted by 55 Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Yadav under Article 124(4) of the Constitution. The MPs accused Justice Yadav of engaging in “hate speech” and “incitement to communal disharmony” during an event organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), where he backed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Dhankhar clarified that the constitutional jurisdiction for such a motion lies with the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and, eventually, with Parliament and the President. “It is expedient that the Secretary General, Rajya Sabha shares this for information with the Secretary General, Supreme Court of India,” Dhankhar remarked during the session.

The December 13, 2024, notice by the MPs included three accusations against Justice Yadav: promoting communal disharmony, displaying bias against minorities, and publicly expressing opinions on political matters in violation of the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life – 1997.

The controversy deepened after the Supreme Court collegium, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, sought Justice Yadav's response. In his reply, Justice Yadav defended his comments, asserting that they did not breach judicial conduct. His remarks supporting the UCC at the Allahabad High Court premises have drawn sharp criticism from Opposition leaders, who allege that his statements undermine judicial impartiality and constitutional values.

As the debate unfolds, this unprecedented motion has sparked national attention on the accountability of the judiciary, judicial independence, and the boundaries of public commentary by sitting judges.