Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Union government is preparing to initiate impeachment proceedings in Parliament against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, following his indictment by a Supreme Court-appointed panel in connection with a high-profile cash scandal. The incident involves the recovery of large sums of burnt cash from his official residence in Delhi after a fire.
Resignation Refused Despite CJI’s Recommendation
Sources revealed that then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had recommended Varma’s impeachment in a formal communication to the President and Prime Minister, following the findings of an in-house probe committee. The panel’s full report has not been made public, but it reportedly held Justice Varma accountable for the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Despite being urged to resign, Varma refused to step down, prompting the government to explore the impeachment route. An official source confirmed that although the formal process has not yet started, discussions are active and a decision is expected ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Impeachment Process and Political Outreach
If the impeachment proceeds, it will mark a rare step in judicial accountability. In the Lok Sabha, the motion requires signatures from at least 100 members, while in the Rajya Sabha, a minimum of 50 members must support it. Once accepted and passed by a two-thirds majority, the presiding officers of the respective Houses refer the motion to the Chief Justice of India for formation of an investigation committee.
The panel would comprise a sitting Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and an eminent jurist nominated by the government. The draft motion will reportedly include the findings from the Supreme Court panel and will be shared with opposition parties for consensus.
Justice Varma Maintains Innocence
Justice Yashwant Varma, who was transferred back to the Allahabad High Court after the incident, has denied all allegations and claimed he has no connection to the cash found at his Delhi residence’s outhouse. However, political parties across the spectrum have called for strong action, terming the incident a serious breach of judicial integrity.
A senior government source remarked, “It is difficult to ignore such a visible scandal. A final decision will be taken soon, keeping both the law and public trust in mind.”
