Why Can’t the Deputy Chairperson Exercise Rajya Sabha Chair’s Powers? SC Questions in Justice Verma Case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by Justice Yashwant Verma of Allahabad High Court, challenging the validity of a parliamentary panel investigating corruption allegations against him.

A bench led by Justice Deepankar Datta raised a significant question regarding parliamentary procedure: “If the Vice President can perform the duties of the President in their absence, why cannot the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha perform the duties of the Chairperson in their absence?”

Contention Over Powers of the Deputy Chairperson
The Supreme Court declined to accept Justice Verma’s argument that the Deputy Chairperson lacks the authority to reject a proposal. Representing Justice Verma, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi contended that under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, only the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairperson have the power to accept or reject impeachment proposals. The Deputy Chairperson, he argued, is not explicitly mentioned, and therefore cannot exercise such authority.

The bench observed that the Act does use phrases like “unless the context otherwise requires” in its definitional sections, implying potential room for interpretation, but no definitive answer was given as the matter is still under consideration.

Background of Justice Verma Case
The case stems from an incident on the night of March 14–15, 2025, when a fire broke out at Justice Verma’s government residence in Delhi. During firefighting operations, fire personnel discovered bundles of burnt, unaccounted cash, videos of which circulated online. Justice Verma was not present at the residence at the time, and it was his wife who informed the police and fire brigade.

A week after the incident, Justice Verma was transferred from Delhi High Court to Allahabad High Court, where he currently has no judicial assignments. The parliamentary panel’s investigation into the alleged corruption has raised questions about the procedural powers of the Deputy Chairperson in the impeachment process.