[Letter from NG Ranga]

Summary

This two-page letter, dated 28 July 1970 and addressed to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, urges him to reject a petition seeking the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge, Justice Shah. The writers argue that the petition arose from the allegations of O. P. Gupta, a former magistrate dismissed for misuse of office and involvement in bribery, and that the grounds advanced against Justice Shah are frivolous and malicious.

The letter also challenges the manner in which signatures were obtained. It alleges that at least eight Lok Sabha members from the writers’ own party were induced to sign after Gupta visited their homes, told them a “cock and bull story,” and denied them an adequate opportunity to read the petition. The writers report that some members later withdrew their signatures, warn that others may have signed without understanding the petition’s implications, and ask the Speaker to exercise his discretion by taking no further action.

Key points

• The letter asks the Lok Sabha Speaker to refuse admission to a petition seeking the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Shah.
• It identifies former magistrate O. P. Gupta as the inspiration for the petition.
• The writers describe Gupta as having been dismissed for misusing his office and accepting bribes in cases involving corruption.
• They characterize the allegations against Justice Shah as frivolous and malicious.
• The letter alleges that at least eight members of the writers’ party were pressured or misled into signing the petition.
• It states that some members later withdrew their signatures and that others may not have understood the petition’s contents.
• The writers argue that impeaching a Supreme Court judge in such circumstances would damage both the judiciary and Parliament.