A total of 107 Opposition MPs on Tuesday submitted a notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking the removal of Madras High Court judge Justice G R Swaminathan, alleging that his conduct raises concerns about &ldquo;impartiality, transparency, and the secular functioning of the judiciary.&rdquo;
The move&mdash;led by the DMK&mdash;follows Justice Swaminathan&rsquo;s December 1 order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop a stone pillar on the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai, a site claimed both by Hindu temple authorities and an adjacent dargah. 
The directive has sparked a political dispute in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK accusing opponents of attempting to manufacture a communal flashpoint ahead of Assembly elections.
The notice submitted by MPs stated: &ldquo;The conduct of Justice G R Swaminathan raises serious questions regarding impartiality, transparency, and the secular functioning of the judiciary, undue favoritism shown to one Mr M Sricharan Ranganathan, Senior Advocate, in deciding the cases, also favoring advocates from a particular community, deciding cases on the basis of particular political ideology and against the secular principles of Indian Constitution.&rdquo;
Signatories include Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Gaurav Gogoi; Samajwadi Party leaders Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, and Dharmendra Yadav; NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule; AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi; and DMK leaders T R Baalu, A Raja, and Kanimozhi Karunanidhi. 
However, the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party did not join the petition. 
AAP has stated that its understanding with other Opposition parties concluded after the Lok Sabha elections.
Removal Process
Under the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, a motion to investigate a judge must be signed by at least 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha or 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. 
Once submitted, the presiding officer decides whether to admit or reject the motion.
If admitted, a three-member committee&mdash;comprising a Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and a distinguished jurist&mdash;is formed to investigate. 
The committee frames charges, conducts an inquiry, and submits its report to the presiding officer.
For the judge to be removed, both Houses of Parliament must pass the motion with a special majority: two-thirds of members present and voting, and more than 50% of total membership. 
Only then is the order sent to the President.
Background to the Dispute
In his December 1 order, Justice Swaminathan directed the Hindu temple at Thiruparankundram to revive what he described as a &ldquo;tradition&rdquo; of lighting the Thiruparankundram Deepam. 
When officials hesitated to implement the order amid state resistance, he issued a contempt directive, stating that the petitioner and 10 others should receive CISF&mdash;not police&mdash;escort to light the lamp. 
He called the act &ldquo;symbolic but necessary&rdquo; to uphold judicial authority.
Justice Swaminathan has previously expressed admiration for Hindu philosophy and classical Tamil heritage in his speeches and writings. 
His rulings in cases related to temple administration and religious practices often cite ancient texts, and some decisions have been modified by Division Benches on appeal.
Opposition parties argue that these patterns demonstrate ideological bias, while supporters of the order claim it protects traditional practices.

Opposition MPs submit judge removal notice

Opposition MPs move notice, claim Justice Swaminathan’s conduct questions his neutrality

107 MPs Seek Removal Of Madras HC Judge

Opposition MPs move notice, claim Justice Swaminathan’s conduct questions his neutrality

December 10, 2025 | 16:24 IST