Dhankhar holds meeting with Nadda, Kharge to discuss judicial accountability amid judge cash row

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday held a meeting with Leader of the House J P Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for a structured discussion in the Upper House of Parliament on the issue of judicial accountability and the NJAC Act.

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The two leaders held closed-door consultations with Dhankhar in his chamber. The meeting began at 11.30 am.

Hon'ble Vice-President and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar met Hon'ble Leader of the House (Rajya Sabha), Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Ji, and Hon'ble Leader of Opposition (Rajya Sabha), Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji, in his chamber at Parliament House today. @JPNadda… pic.twitter.com/YEXkGWCfVG

— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) March 24, 2025

The Rajya Sabha Chairman had earlier written to both Nadda and Kharge for the meeting, a source said.

The meeting follows observations made by him on March 21 on this issue in response to the points raised by Jairam Ramesh after allegations of corruption against a judge of the Delhi High Court.

In his observations, Dhankhar had spoken about the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act passed by Parliament and struck down by the apex court.

“I had the occasion to reflect in a very focused manner that what appears in the Indian Constitution has to emanate first from our founding fathers and then any change affected whatsoever has to be sanctified by the Parliament and in some cases by 50% of state legislatures and then finally it gets constitutional sanction with the Hon’ble President signing it under article 111 and therefore I had pleaded with the leader of the house that the House needs to know that Constitution which according to this directive holds the field today. You all will recollect if the mechanism which was passed by this house with near unanimity, with no dissension, only one abstention in Rajya Sabha, all political parties converging, going in for the initiative of the government. I wish to find out the status of that which emanated from Indian Parliament made sacrosanct by endorsement of 16 state assemblies in the country and signed by the Hon’ble President under article 111 of the Constitution,” the Vice-President said on March 21.

He said the historic legislation endorsed by this Parliament with unprecedented consensual support unknown to parliamentary history of this country dealt with the malaise very severely. If the malaise had been dealt with perhaps we would not have countenanced such kind of issues. What bothers me is that the incident happened and did not immediately surface.

Dhankhar added “If it happens with a politician, he becomes a target, a bureaucrat, an industrialist immediately and therefore systemic response which is transparent, accountable, effective, I am sure will be on the way. I will get in touch with Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition and find a mechanism for a structured discussion during course of the session subject to their agreement.”

Congress leader Renuka Choudhary has also given an adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha today to discuss judicial accountability.

The Supreme Court has instituted an inquiry into the alleged recovery of burnt wads of cash from the residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Verma, who has denied any wrongdoing in his response to the matter. —with PTI