INDIA Bloc To Move Impeachment Motion Against Justice G R Swaminathan

Opposition MPs in the INDIA bloc are preparing an impeachment motion against Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench. The move follows Justice G.R. Swaminathan’s direction to Subramaniya Swamy temple officials to keep a lamp burning at the deepathoon, a pillar located near a dargah.

Under Indian law, Parliament can seek the removal of a High Court judge through an impeachment motion. The process is complex and involves multiple stages of scrutiny, voting and approval before any final order is issued by the President.

Impeachment motion against Justice G.R. Swaminathan: parliamentary steps and thresholds

The rules require at least 100 Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha, or 50 Rajya Sabha Members, to sign such a motion against a High Court judge. Once this minimum support is reached and the motion is admitted, it moves to a formal inquiry stage.

CPI(M) MP Su. Venkatesan said the bloc is trying to complete this first step. "We are collecting signatures of the India Bloc MPs and will submit them to the Parliament tomorrow (December 9, 2025)," said CPI(M) Su. Venkatesan. The plan is to present the motion in Parliament with the required backing.

Impeachment motion against Justice G.R. Swaminathan: inquiry, voting and final order

After admission, a three-member committee examines the charges against Justice G.R. Swaminathan. The committee investigates the allegations and submits its findings. Only if the report supports removal can both houses take up a motion for voting on the judge’s ouster.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must each approve the removal motion with a special majority. This means an absolute majority of total membership, plus support from two-thirds of members present and voting. The President then issues the removal order, though no judge has yet been successfully impeached in India.