Venkaiah Naidu rejects impeachment motion against Justice Misra

New Delhi, April 23: Dealing a blow to the opposition, Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rejected an impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dipak Misra on the ground that there was lack of "credible and verifiable" information on charges of "misbehaviour" which, he said, undermined judiciary's independence.

The Chairman's decision on the petition filed by 64 MPs belonging to seven parties led by the Congress on Friday was met with strong criticism from former Law Minister and eminent lawyer Kapil Sibal, who termed it as illegal and unconstitutional done in a "tearing hurry". He said the order will be challenged in the Supreme Court.

However, BJP President Amit Shah attacked the Congress saying the opposition move was part of a larger trend to demonise and weaken every institution which seeks to maintain its individual identity and not kowtow to the dynasty.

The Chairman's ruling came before proceedings opened in the Supreme Court on Monday apparently to enable the Chief Justice to continue his work uninterrupted.