DMK and allies submit notice to impeach Madras High Court judge

DMK on Tuesday rallied its Tamil Nadu allies and a number of Opposition parties to submit to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla a notice for an impeachment motion against Madras High Court's justice GR Swaminathan over his recent judgement on allowing a group of people to light the 'Karthigai Deepam' temple lamp atop a hillock at Thiruparankundram. However, many Opposition campers appeared sceptical of the move progressing beyond the scrutiny stage as they wondered whether a disagreement with a court judgement can qualify as a legitimate ground for bringing an impeachment motion against the judge.

While Trinamool is learnt to have disengaged from the move, a few more regional Opposition parties were said to be unenthused about the notice. "Nothing further will happen, this is the end of the matter," quipped an Opposition MP after the submission of the notice.

Sources said the notice, widely seen as DMK's posturing for its domestic audience ahead of assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, was signed by about 120 Opposition MPs. The notice is said to have invoked Articles 217 and 124 of the Constitution of India.