Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday accepted the motion signed by 146 MPs for the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma. Admitting the motion against Justice Varma, the Speaker constituted a three-member committee to probe the charges against him.
Justice Varma is currently serving as a sitting judge at the Allahabad High Court. He has been in the eye of a storm since a fire broke out at his official bungalow in Delhi, while he was posted at the Delhi High Court.
Wads of burnt cash were discovered during fire-fighting efforts. The incident eventually led to a probe by a Supreme Court-appointed panel, which recommended Justice Varma’s removal.
Opposition’s protest against EC
The opposition parties continued their protests against the Election Commission on Tuesday.
Several lawmakers from the INDIA bloc parties held a demonstration, with many of them wearing T-shirts bearing the name of a "124-year-old voter" allegedly found on Bihar’s electoral roll.
The opposition has accused the Election Commission of manipulating the voters’ list in Bihar through its Special Intensive Revision. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also accused the poll body of helping the BJP steal votes.
The Election Commission has refuted these claims, calling them false and misleading.
SC order on stray dogs
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on has said the Court’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR is a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy. Gandhi, who is an MP from Rae Bareli said shelters, sterilisation, vaccination, and community care can keep streets safe without cruelty. He also stressed that blanket removals are cruel, short-sighted, and strip us of compassion.
This came a day after his own party colleague and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram welcomed the Court’s decision. Chidambaram called for the verdict to be implemented in every city and town.
Americans against India tariff
A majority of Americans are against the 50% tariff US President Donald Trump has imposed on India.
A survey by the US-based think tank Democracy Institute showed that most believe America should not have imposed tariffs on India over its imports of oil from Russia. While 53% of respondents said the move was wrong, only 43% supported it.
Last week, the US President ordered an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, taking the total to 50%. The additional tariff will take effect from August 27.
Market slips on Tuesday
After a strong opening on Monday, Indian equities slipped on Tuesday. The Sensex was down almost half a per cent at the end of the session. The Nifty also slipped, ending the day just around 24,500.
