Following a significant all-party meeting regarding Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized on Wednesday that the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary should not be viewed as adversaries; rather, all institutions must work collaboratively.

While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Dhankhar remarked, “I must convey to the House that our discussion yesterday was highly productive, addressing a matter that concerns the public. We had the valued presence of political party leaders, including both the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition. Without delving into specifics, the exchange reflected a spirit of cooperation and concern, indicating that this issue does not create conflict between institutions.”

He further stated, “There is no antagonism among the Executive, Legislature, or Judiciary. All institutions in our country must operate in harmony and togetherness, with established checks and balances that serve a meaningful purpose.”

A fire occurred at Justice Yashwant Varma’s official residence in Delhi on March 14, during which significant amounts of cash were discovered. An all-party meeting led by Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar took place on Tuesday, with attendance from Leader of the House JP Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.

Chairman Dhankhar mentioned that both leaders of the House and Opposition will engage in broader consultations within their parties before meeting with him again. “Both the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition have committed to additional discussions following consultations within their respective parties. They will return to the Chairman for further discussions,” he confirmed.

The meeting included floor leaders from DMK, BJD, BRS, CPM, UBT, AGP, TMC, Congress, and BJP, with sources indicating that the focus was on vital judicial issues. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also attended.

The Supreme Court had struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, which had been passed by Parliament and 16 states in 2015. Reports suggest that the Modi government is considering reviving the NJAC.

Mr. Dhankhar also stated, “There is no constitutional provision for the review or appeal of a constitutional amendment. While legislative actions by Parliament or a state can be subject to judicial review, this must align with constitutional provisions. Today, we face two realities: one, legitimate actions from the Indian Parliament, supported by the state legislatures and validated by the President under Article 111; and the second, a judicial ruling.”

“At this junction, I urge members to contemplate deeply. No institution should undermine what originates from Parliament, as sanctioned by the legislature. This mechanism must be upheld. It is crucial to address our recent distressing situation…” he continued.

He expressed optimism that a resolution will be found, suggesting that the legislature and judiciary excel when they operate effectively within their respective domains.

Earlier on Monday, Mr. Dhankhar convened a meeting with Mr. Nadda and Mr. Kharge, expressing concern about the substantial amount of cash reportedly found in Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence. He also praised Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna for making information related to the alleged cash recovery public. He insisted that Parliament should await the findings from the inquiry committee appointed by the Chief Justice.