Justice Yashwant Verma appeared before the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee and presented his arguments in his defense.

New Delhi. Justice Yashwant Verma, who is facing impeachment proceedings in the case of recovery of burnt cash from his house, appeared before the three-member parliamentary inquiry committee constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker. Justice Verma said in his defense that he was not present at his residence when the fire broke out. Along with this, he has also denied the recovery of any kind of cash from the spot. Justice Verma said that he himself was not present at the spot nor was he the first responder to the incident, so how could the policemen be held responsible when they could not keep the place safe.

Justice Verma alleged that the police and fire brigade personnel present at the spot did not take necessary action as required. In this way Justice Verma raised questions on the impeachment process going on against him. Let us tell you that Justice Verma had asked for 8 weeks time from the inquiry committee to reply and he was given 6 weeks time. After this, Justice Verma filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the formation of this one-member committee and also demanded to extend the deadline for exemption from appearing before the investigation committee, but the court rejected his demand and directed him to appear.

However, the apex court has reserved its decision in the case of challenging the legality of the inquiry committee. Justice Verma had said in his petition in the Supreme Court that the impeachment motion against him has been rejected by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In such a situation, to move forward the impeachment motion and form a joint committee, it is necessary that the proposal be accepted in both the houses.