MPs list 12 charges against Dinakaran

The impeachment notice filed by opposition MPs against Karnataka chief justice PD Dinakaran for various "acts of  misbehaviour", lists 12 specific charges, including possessing wealth disproportionate to known sources of income and illegal encroachment on public property.

The petition, submitted to Rajya Sabha chairman and vice president Hamid Ansari by 75 members of the Upper House, also accuse justice Dinakaran of unlawfully securing five Housing Board plots in favour of his wife and two daughters and
entering into 'Benami' transactions.

Illegal encroachment on government and public property to deprive the Dalits and poor of their right to livelihood, destruction of evidence against official enquiry, obstructing public servant on duty and abuse of judicial office were  among other charges brought by the MPs against him.

The petition alleged that Dinakaran abused his office in matters he had personal interest to secure several properties for his family. It also alleged that he made "arbitrary and illegal" appointments and transfers.

The impeachment notice was submitted by 75 MPs from BJP, Left parties, SP, JD(U), Akali Dal and AIADMK seeking impeachment of justice Dinakaran, whose elevation to the supreme court has already been put on hold following allegations of grabbing of land by him and his family members near Chennai. "A notice of the Motion signed by 75 members of Rajya Sabha under Judges (Enquiry) Act, 1968 for removal of justice PD Dinakaran, was presented to the Chairman Rajya Sabha today.

"The matter is being examined as per the provisions of the Act and the rules framed thereunder," a press release issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat said.     

Under the Constitution, judges of supreme court and high court can be removed only through impeachment in Parliament.      An impeachment process against a supreme court judge justice V Ramaswamy in the early nineties fell through when the motion was not carried in the Lok Sabha.