36 ex-judges call out impeachment notice against Madras HC judge

India Dec 20, 2025

Thirty-six former judges have spoken out against an impeachment notice filed by several opposition MPs targeting Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madras High Court.
The notice came soon after his order allowing a temple to light a ceremonial lamp at Deepathoon, a spot near a dargah, which sparked debate.

Why does it matter?

The ex-judges, including former Supreme Court judge Krishn Murari, called this move a "brazen" attempt to pressure the judiciary and warned it could harm judicial independence.
They pointed to past political efforts to influence courts and stressed that legal disagreements should be handled through appeals—not threats of impeachment.