📚 Part of: Hummingbird Flight & Constitutional Law Mcqs

Who can remove the chief justice of Supreme Court?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Correct Answer: C) [C] President on a resolution by parliament.

Exam Relevance: UPSC Civil Services, CLAT, State PSC Exams, Law Entrance Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes:

In India, the removal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is a constitutional process that requires a resolution passed by both houses of Parliament. This resolution must be supported by a two-thirds majority in each house. The President of India then acts on this resolution to remove the Chief Justice.

Common Mistakes:
  • Believing that the President can remove the Chief Justice on his own discretion.
  • Thinking that the Supreme Court judges can remove the Chief Justice by majority vote.
  • Assuming that the Parliament alone can remove the Chief Justice without the President's involvement.
Explanation:

The removal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in India is a carefully regulated process outlined in the Constitution of India. This process is designed to ensure that the independence of the judiciary is maintained while providing a mechanism for the removal of a Chief Justice in cases of serious misconduct or incapacity.

According to Article 124(4) of the Indian Constitution, the Chief Justice of India can be removed from office by the President of India. However, this removal is not an arbitrary act by the President. It requires a resolution passed by both houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with a two-thirds majority in each house. This resolution must be based on the grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity.

The process begins with a motion being introduced in either house of Parliament. If the motion is passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses, it is then sent to the President. The President, upon receiving the resolution, has the authority to remove the Chief Justice. This dual requirement of a parliamentary resolution and the President's action ensures that the removal process is not easily initiated and that it involves both legislative and executive branches of the government.

It is important to note that the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, does not have the power to remove the Chief Justice. This is a constitutional safeguard to prevent the judiciary from having a direct role in the removal of its highest-ranking member, thereby maintaining the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.

In summary, the removal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is a constitutional process that requires a resolution by both houses of Parliament and the action of the President. This process is designed to balance the need for accountability with the preservation of judicial independence.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. The Parliament alone cannot remove the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. A resolution by Parliament must be followed by the President's action to remove the Chief Justice. The Parliament's role is to pass a resolution, not to make the final decision.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. The Supreme Court judges do not have the authority to remove the Chief Justice. The removal process is a constitutional procedure that involves the Parliament and the President, not the judges of the Supreme Court.
  • Option C: This option is correct. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can be removed by the President on the basis of a resolution passed by both houses of Parliament. This resolution must be supported by a two-thirds majority in each house. The President acts on this resolution to remove the Chief Justice.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. The President cannot remove the Chief Justice on his or her own discretion. The removal process requires a resolution by Parliament, which must be passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses. The President's role is to act on this resolution, not to initiate the removal process independently.

Mnemonic: PRES: President Removes on Supreme Court

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