The Union government is reportedly preparing to initiate impeachment proceedings in Parliament against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, following serious allegations involving the recovery of a large sum of burnt currency from his official residence in Delhi. The incident occurred while Justice Varma was serving at the Delhi High Court and led to a Supreme Court-initiated in-house inquiry, which has allegedly indicted him.
Despite being urged to resign by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Varma has refused to step down. According to senior government sources, impeachment now appears to be the likely course of action if he continues to hold office. Parliament's Monsoon Session, expected in the latter half of July, may see the formal introduction of the motion.
Findings and Fallout
The in-house committee’s findings—though not made public—formed the basis of the Chief Justice’s recommendation to the President and Prime Minister for initiating impeachment proceedings. While Justice Varma has denied any link to the cash and maintained his innocence, the episode has stirred outrage and concern across political lines.
Efforts are underway to consult opposition parties and build consensus on the matter. “A final decision will be taken soon. It's difficult to ignore such a visible scandal,” said a senior government official.
Impeachment Process
As per constitutional provisions, a motion to impeach a High Court judge requires signatures from at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members. Upon admission, and if supported by a two-thirds majority, the matter is referred to a three-member investigative committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and an eminent jurist. This panel would assess the validity of the charges.
The proposed motion will likely be backed by the findings of the Supreme Court’s earlier committee. The government is reportedly finalizing consultations with major political parties before tabling the motion.
Mixed Reactions and Continuing Tensions
Justice Varma continues to be listed on the Allahabad High Court roster, with no official statement on any recusal or administrative change. His continued presence on the bench has raised eyebrows in legal circles.
Anil Tiwari, President of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, welcomed the government's move as a "victory for the public" and called it a significant step in restoring public trust in the judiciary. He urged all political parties to support the motion.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had declined to entertain a plea seeking an FIR against Justice Varma, advising the petitioner to approach the President and the Prime Minister instead. It also confirmed that the in-house inquiry report had already been submitted to both authorities.
This rare and sensitive development underscores the judiciary’s deep accountability and the gravity with which such allegations are treated—even against those who occupy the highest echelons of the legal system.
.jpeg&w=80&h=80&crop-to-fit)
