on Thursday, the Upper House of the Parliament, Rajya Sabha overwhelmingly approved the impeachment motion against him after two days of hearing.
As many as 189 members voted in favour of the motion to impeach the 53-year-old Judge after a two-day debate on the issue, while 17 members voted against it.
All parties with the exception of BSP were of the view that Justice Sen was guilty of misappropriating Rs. 33.23 lakh which were under his custody as a court-appointed receiver in the capacity as a lawyer and misrepresenting facts before a Calcutta court.
Impeachment proceedings followed motions moved by Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) and Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley after an Inquiry Committee, appointed by the Rajya Sabha Chairman and headed by Supreme Court Judge B Sudershan Reddy, held Justice Sen guilty of misconduct.
Justice Sen on Wednesday appeared before the House and strongly defended himself arguing that he was a “victim” and appealed to members to vote by conscience. The House, however, rejected his defence.
After the impeachment motion was passed, Justice Sen said : “I am extremely disappointed.”
After Rajya Sabha, the impeachment motion will now be taken up by the Lok Sabha which is expected to deliberate on it on August 24 and 25. If Lok Sabha approves the impeachment motion, Justice Sen would be the first sitting judge to be removed by the country’s Parliament.