The India Alliance has nominated former Supreme Court Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy as its candidate for the office of Vice President, setting up a contest against the NDA’s nominee, C. P. Radhakrishnan. While Radhakrishnan has a long and active career in politics, having served as the governor of several states, Reddy’s nomination has brought a significant chapter from India’s judicial history back into the spotlight: the impeachment of former Calcutta High Court Judge, Soumitra Sen.
The nomination has led to discussions in political circles about Justice Reddy’s past judicial career, particularly his role in the investigation that led to one of the rarest events in the Indian judiciary.
The Impeachment of Justice Soumitra Sen
Justice Soumitra Sen faced serious allegations of financial misconduct. It was alleged that, as a lawyer in the 1990s, he had misappropriated crores of rupees while acting as a court-appointed receiver and failed to provide an account for the funds even after his elevation as a judge.
The case gained prominence in the 2000s, culminating in the Rajya Sabha passing an impeachment motion against him in 2011 for misconduct—a landmark event in the country’s judicial history.
Justice Reddy’s Connection to the Case
To investigate the allegations against Justice Sen, the Supreme Court of India constituted a three-member inquiry committee. This high-powered committee comprised:
- Former CJI K. G. Balakrishnan (as Chairman)
- Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy (then a sitting Supreme Court Judge)
- Justice D. K. Jain (then a sitting Supreme Court Judge)
After a thorough investigation, the committee submitted its report, which unequivocally concluded that Justice Soumitra Sen had committed “misconduct” and should be held accountable. By being a part of this historic inquiry, Justice Reddy played a crucial role in upholding judicial accountability.
Why is This Background Relevant Now?
With his nomination for the Vice Presidency, the India Alliance is highlighting this specific aspect of Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy’s career. His supporters are portraying him as a figure who has demonstrated a firm stance against corruption and has actively worked to protect the dignity of the higher judiciary, even supporting a measure as severe as impeachment to ensure accountability. This narrative is being used to position him as a candidate of high integrity and judicial propriety.
