More than 50 retired judges, including former Supreme Court and High Court judges, have strongly condemned the resolution seeking the removal of Madras High Court judge Justice G.R. Swaminathan. They released a joint letter criticising the effort to impeach him, saying it threatens the independence of the judiciary and could harm India’s democratic foundations.The retired judges said that even if the reasons cited by MPs for the impeachment are taken at face value, they are not sufficient to justify such an extreme constitutional step. They added that impeachment should not be used as a tool for political pressure or retaliation.
The statement urged lawmakers, lawyers, and citizens to reject the move at its earliest stage. It emphasised that judges should be accountable only to the Constitution, and not subjected to political or ideological pressures.
The impeachment notice against Justice Swaminathan was filed after controversy over one of his rulings, which has triggered strong debate in political and legal circles.