Option to impeach CJI still open: Congress

With the Supreme Court in throes of a controversy yet again, Congress on Thursday said the judiciary was at its nadir and asserted that the option to impeach the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra is "still open".

"We are very concerned about what is happening in the court. The issues, which were raised by the four Supreme Court judges, have not been addressed yet. The option (impeachment of CJI) that is available to us is still open," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said here.

He was responding to questions on the differences amongst the top judiciary and the status of the impeachment petition against Justice Dipak Misra that was piloted by the Congress.

During the recently concluded Budget Session, the Congress had taken the leadership role in moving the impeachment petition against the CJI and was holding deliberations with other political parties. However, the issue went into cold storage as a section of the Congress leaders were not convinced about the arguments in favour of the petition against the CJI.

"Nothing has come in the way. This is not instant coffee. We are dealing with an institution. It will be a very sad thing if the Opposition has to take that step," Sibal said to questions on why the impeachment petition was not submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.

Sibal's said it was a matter of grave concern that the judiciary was taking no action on the issues raised by Supreme Court judges J Chelameshwar and Kurian Joseph over judicial appointments.

"No party should be allowed to interfere in the appointment of judges. If there is any attempt to block the recommendations, the Chief Justice of India and the senior-most judges must not only resist it but also ensure that the recommendations are implemented," Sibal said.

"If such steps are not taken, then it would amount to capitulating to the executive," the former Law Minister said referring to the delay in elevating Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court K M Joseph to the Supreme Court.