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Statement I : Impeachment procedure is a quasi-judicial procedure and the President of India can be impeached only on the grounds of violation of the Constitution Statement I : The impeachment procedure can be initiated in either House of the Parliament
Explanation
Statement I is true as the President of India can only be impeached for the 'violation of the Constitution' [2]. This procedure is considered quasi-judicial because, while initiated by a political body, one House of Parliament acts as a prosecutor by framing charges, and the other House acts as a tribunal to investigate them [2]. Statement II is also true because impeachment charges can indeed be initiated in either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) [2]. However, Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I. The fact that either House can initiate the process (procedural rule) does not explain why the process is classified as quasi-judicial or why the grounds are limited to constitutional violations. The quasi-judicial nature arises from the investigative and adjudicatory functions performed by the Houses during the process, rather than the venue of initiation.
Sources
- [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > Impeachment of President > p. 190
- [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 18: President > Impeachment of President > p. 190