Indi Alliance Moves to Impeach Justice Swaminathan Over Orders for Traditional Lamp Lighting

New Delhi: The Indi Alliance has launched a formal move seeking the impeachment of Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court, following his directive to light traditional lamps at a prominent hill near a temple in Madurai, which has sparked widespread controversy.

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, over 100 Lok Sabha MPs from the Indi Alliance submitted a written notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Justice Swaminathan.

Allegations Against Justice Swaminathan

The notice accuses Justice Swaminathan of misconduct, questioning his impartiality, transparency, and secular conduct. Opposition MPs have alleged that the judge showed bias in favor of a specific community’s senior advocate and delivered decisions based on a particular political ideology, undermining the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution.

Opposition MPs Advocating Impeachment

The petition for impeachment has been signed by senior opposition leaders, including DMK parliamentary leader Kanimozhi, DMK Lok Sabha leader T.R. Baalu, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with more than 100 other MPs.

The Controversial Lamp Lighting Order

Justice Swaminathan had ordered the authorities of Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Madurai to ensure the lighting of lamps at the historically significant Tirupparankundram hill, located near a dargah, a site that has been subject to dispute between the temple and the nearby Muslim community.

The High Court bench clarified that the lamp lighting would not infringe on the rights of the dargah or the Muslim community. When the state government did not comply, Justice Swaminathan issued another order on December 3, 2025, permitting devotees to light the lamps themselves and directed CISF personnel to ensure their safety. Non-compliance with the order could result in contempt notices.

The DMK government, led by M.K. Stalin, initially approached the Supreme Court in protest and later coordinated with the opposition to initiate impeachment proceedings.

Profile: Justice G.R. Swaminathan

Born in 1968, Justice Swaminathan began his legal career in Chennai, practicing for over 13 years before moving to the Madurai Bench. He has served as standing counsel for several public sector companies and was appointed Assistant Solicitor General in 2014. He became an Additional Judge of the Madras High Court in 2017 and later a permanent judge.

During his tenure, Justice Swaminathan has delivered landmark judgments on free speech, prisoner rights, animal rights, and the rights of persons with disabilities. According to the Madras High Court website, he has issued over 52,094 orders and judgments to date.