The Union government is set to table an impeachment motion in the upcoming session of Parliament against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, following allegations of corruption linked to a major cash recovery from his residence. According to PTI sources, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will initiate talks with leaders across the political spectrum to build consensus on the motion, which comes after a Supreme Court-appointed panel indicted the judge.
The discovery of large amounts of cash in sacks at Justice Varma’s Delhi residence earlier this year triggered the controversy. The incident occurred after a fire broke out at his official accommodation in Lutyens’ Delhi in March, when he was serving as a judge at the Delhi High Court. While he denied any wrongdoing, the judge was subsequently transferred to the Allahabad High Court and has refused to step down.
Supreme Court Panel Found Justice Yashwant Varma Culpable
A three-member inquiry committee, constituted by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, confirmed the allegations following an extensive investigation. The panel included Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia of Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Justice Anu Sivaraman of the Karnataka High Court. According to PTI, the report was finalised on 3 May and shared with Justice Varma for his response in accordance with the principle of natural justice.
Despite being advised to resign, Justice Varma did not comply, prompting then CJI Khanna to write to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enclosing the committee’s findings and the judge’s reply dated 6 May. PTI sources said more than 50 individuals, including Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and the Delhi Fire Services chief, were examined during the probe.
On 24 March, the Supreme Court collegium recommended Justice Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad High Court. By 28 March, the apex court directed the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice to refrain from allocating any judicial work to him.
Lawyers’ Body Seeks Prosecution Sanction
Meanwhile, the Bombay Lawyers Association (BLA) has requested Chief Justice of India B R Gavai to permit the initiation of criminal proceedings against Justice Varma. In a letter dated 2 June, BLA President Ahmad M Abdi and Secretary Eknath R Dhokale cited the large-scale cash discovery as grounds for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The letter referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in the K Veeraswami case (1991), which states that a sitting judge of the higher judiciary can only be prosecuted with the President’s sanction based on the CJI’s advice. “The applicant is seeking your sanction to initiate criminal prosecution, including the registration of an FIR, against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting Judge of the Allahabad High Court, under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in connection with the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence,” the BLA stated in its letter, as per PTI.
The lawyers’ body further pointed to the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a PIL on the matter on 21 May, deeming it premature. The court advised petitioners to approach the appropriate authorities instead. The BLA emphasised the need to protect public confidence in the judiciary, saying, “The allegations, supported by photographic and video evidence shared by the Delhi Police Commissioner, have raised serious concerns about judicial probity and public trust in the judiciary. The failure to register an FIR, despite the inquiry committee’s findings, risks undermining the principle of equality before the law and the credibility of the judicial institution.”
The association has also requested directions to the Delhi Police or the CBI to preserve crucial evidence, including video footage, photographs, and partially burnt currency notes, and has sought a copy of the committee report to file its complaint.
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