NEW DELHI – An unprecedented move has kicked off in India for theimpeachment of the Chief Justice of India.

The Congress, backed by several opposition parties, is reportedly leadingefforts to bring an impeachment motion in parliament againstlink>Chief Justice DeepakMishra.

The parties are circulating an unprecedented petition for sacking the topjudge, leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have confirmed, NDTVhas reported.

NCP’s Majeed Memon said 20 signatures have been collected so far. ThreeCongress leaders, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal and Ahmed Patel havereportedly signed the petition and five more signatories are from the NCP.

Congress leaders said nothing on record on the move that has been confirmedmainly by NCP leaders Majid Memon and DP Tripathi.

“The Congress as the largest opposition party has belatedly initiated theproceedings for impeachment of the Chief Justice of India,” Majid Memonsaid on Tuesday.

His colleague DP Tripathi said: “I have signed it and others are alsosigning it and the process is going on.” The CPI-M and CPI have also signedthe petition, he said.

The Samajwadi Party today said it supports the petition. “The SamajwadiParty stands with the impeachment motion, which is about bringingindependence and unquestionable integrity to the judiciary,” SP leaderGhanshyam Tiwari told news agency ANI.