X v. Office of the Speaker of the House of People & Ors.

 Case Details

Citation: 2026 INSC 65
Decided on: 16 January 2026
Case Title: X v. Office of the Speaker of the House of People & Ors.
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Dipankar Datta J.

 

Background

Following allegations of misconduct against a High Court Judge, notices of motion under s. 3(1) Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 were submitted on the same day in both Houses of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha notice was not admitted by the Deputy Chairman (acting Chairman), while the Speaker of the Lok Sabha admitted the notice and constituted a three-member Committee under s. 3(2). The petitioner challenged the constitution of the Committee, contending that a Joint Committee alone could be formed in view of the first proviso to s. 3(2).

 

Issues Framed

1. How the first proviso to s. 3(2), Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 is to be construed where notices are given in both Houses on the same day.
2. Whether the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha was competent to refuse admission of the motion.
3. Whether refusal by the Deputy Chairman affected the validity of the Speaker’s action in constituting the Committee.
 

Court’s Reasoning

Issue 1: Construction of the first proviso to s. 3(2)

• The proviso applies only where notices given in both Houses on the same day are admitted in both Houses.
• It is situational, not exhaustive; it does not contemplate rejection in one House.
• Reading the proviso as disabling proceedings in the other House would amount to judicial legislation, undermine parliamentary autonomy, and enable abuse by strategic or defective notices.
• The object is to prevent parallel committees, not to frustrate the inquiry mechanism.

Issue 2: Competence of the Deputy Chairman

• Under Art. 91 Const. of India, when the office of Chairman is vacant, the Deputy Chairman performs the duties of the Chairman.
• Statutory interpretation cannot ignore constitutional provisions; hence, the Deputy Chairman was competent to act under s. 3(1).

Issue 3: Effect of refusal by the Deputy Chairman

• Even assuming the refusal were illegal, the proviso would not be triggered absent admission in both Houses.
• The Speaker’s action, taken after official intimation that the Rajya Sabha motion was not admitted, remained valid.
 

Decision 

Writ petition dismissed. The Committee constituted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha under s. 3(2) Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 was held to be valid. No relief granted

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