Q. With reference to the impeachment of the President, consider the following statements:
1. The impeachment charges against the President can be initiated by either House of the Parliament.
2. The impeachment of the President is quasi-judicial procedure in the Parliament.
3. Nominated members of either House of Parliament participate in the impeachment process.
How many statements given above are correct?
Exp) Option c is the correct answer
The President can be removed from office by a process of impeachment for ‘violation of the Constitution’. However, the phrase ‘violation of the Constitution’ is not defined in the Constitution.
Statement 1 is correct: The impeachment charges can be initiated by either House of Parliament. These charges should be signed by one-fourth members of the House (that framed the charges), and a 14 days’ notice should be given to the President.
Statement 2 is correct: The impeachment of the President is a quasi-judicial procedure in the Parliament. After the impeachment resolution is passed by a majority of twothirds of the total membership of that House, it is sent to the other House, which should investigate the charges. The President has the right to appear and to be represented at such investigation. If the other House also sustains the charges and passes the impeachment resolution by a majority of two-thirds of the total membership, then the President stands removed from his office from the date on which the resolution is so passed.
Statement 3 is correct: The nominated members of either House of Parliament can participate in the impeachment of the President though they do not participate in his election. However, the elected members of the legislative assemblies of states and the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry do not participate in the impeachment of the President though they participate in his election.
