Mr. Naidu called it an internal “matter of the judiciary.”

“The allegations emerging from the present case have a serious tendency of undermining the independence of the judiciary which is the basic tenet of the Constitution of India.

“Considering the totality of facts, I am of the firm opinion that it is neither legal nor desirable or proper to admit the Notice of Motion on any of these grounds,” he said.

The decision comes just a day after Mr. Naidu consulted a host of officials including Attorney General of India K.K. Venugopal and retired Supreme Court Judge Sudarshan Reddy.

Noting that MPs were discussing the motion in the media, the Vice-President observed: “This act of the members, discussing the conduct of the CJI in the press, is against propriety and parliamentary decorum as it denigrates the institution of the CJI. I am also aware that there has been a spate of statements in the press that seem to vitiate the atmosphere. I thought I should, therefore, expedite my decision and end needless speculation.”