V Ramaswami, 1st ever SC judge to face impeachment allegations, dies of cardiac arrest

Justice Veeraswami Ramaswami, a former Supreme Court judge, died of cardiac arrest in Chennai on March 8. Justice Ramaswami was the first Supreme Court judge to face impeachment proceedings in 1991 for alleged financial mismanagement and misuse of office during his tenure as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court (1987–1989).

A parliamentary committee had found evidence of excessive expenditure on his official residence. Following this, in 1993, an impeachment motion was introduced in the Lok Sabha, which secured a two-thirds majority from the members. However, as Congress MPs abstained from voting, the motion failed.

Since the motion did not pass, Justice Ramaswami was not removed from office, but the case became a significant milestone in the discussion of judicial accountability in India.

Justice Ramaswami served as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court from 1976 to 1987 before being appointed as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court from 1987 to 1989. He was then elevated to the Supreme Court of India on October 6, 1989, where he served until February 1994, completing a five-year tenure.

Also read:

Justice Joymalya Bagchi elevated to Supreme Court judge by Centre

SC raps UP authorities over demolition of houses, orders to rebuild on state expenses