In a major setback to the Congress-led Opposition parties, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rejected the notice to initiate impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.

Seven Opposition parties led by the Congress Party had submitted the notice to the Vice-President on Friday, seeking an impeachment motion against CJI Misra. The unprecedented move was signed by 71 members of the Upper House – 21 more than the constitutional minimum requirement to move the impeachment motion. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal had cited five grounds for moving the notice against the CJI – which included allegations levelled by four Supreme Court judges in the January press conference.

Meanwhile, senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan has lambasted VP Naidu for rejecting the Opposition’s notice. Bhushan in a  tweet said, “..VP Naidu rejects impeachment motion against CJI signed by 64 RS MPs! On what grounds? He has no power to say that charges are not made out. That’s for the inquiry committee of 3 judges. He only has to see if it’s signed by >50 MPs & possibly if charges are of misbehaviour.”

Reacting to the development, Congress party leader PL Punia said, “We don’t know what was the reason for the rejection. Congress and other opposition parties will talk to some legal experts and take the next step.”

Update: Naidu’s reasons for refusing the motion can be read here.