DMK, opposition MPs seek impeachment of Madras High Court Justice GR Swaminathan
The DMK on Tuesday submitted a notice with 120 signatures to the Speaker seeking impeachment proceedings against Madras High Court Judge GR Swaminathan.
DMK parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi, the party’s Lok Sabha leader TR Baalu, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra handed the impeachment notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
VIDEO | Delhi: DMK leader Kanimozhi submits an Impeachment Notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking the removal of Madras High Court Judge G R Swaminathan, after obtaining signatures from more than 120 MPs.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh pic.twitter.com/yzn9gq2lio— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 9, 2025.
According to the impeachment notice dated December 9, 2025, the motion was moved under Articles 217 read with 124 of the Constitution of India for the removal of the Madras High Court judge.
The notice alleged that his conduct raised questions on judicial impartiality and transparency, accused him of showing undue favour to a senior advocate and lawyers from a particular community, and claimed that verdicts were influenced by political ideology, going against secular constitutional principles.
Copies of letters sent to the President of India and the Chief Justice of India were also enclosed with the motion.
The move comes amid the simmering dispute over the lighting of the traditional Karthigai Deepam lamp atop the hill at Thiruparankundram, a site with a temple and a nearby dargah, following the judge’s order permitting the ritual.
According to the judge’s verdict, the lamp was to be lit on the “Deepathoon” pillar by December 4. The decision rejected objections from the temple authorities and dargah management, and asserted this would not infringe on the religious rights of the Muslim community. The court also directed that a small group of devotees. escorted by security personnel, be allowed to perform the ritual.
However, the state government declined to implement the ruling, citing law-and-order concerns. This triggered protests by pro-Hindu groups, clashes with police, and has now escalated into a major political and judicial conflict.