A Supreme Court on Thursday appointed inquiry committee has submitted a damning report concluding that Justice Yashwant Varma, currently serving at the Allahabad High Court, engaged in serious misconduct.
The three-judge panel, headed by Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, found conclusive evidence that Justice Varma and his family members maintained “covert or active control” over a storage room where investigators discovered a significant amount of half-burnt cash.
Comprehensive Investigation Uncovers Troubling Details
The exhaustive 10-day probe included examination of 55 witnesses and a physical inspection of Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi, where the fire incident occurred on March 14.
The findings were severe enough to prompt former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to formally recommend Justice Varma’s removal to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, initiating constitutional proceedings for impeachment.
Constitutional Process Now Underway
With the inquiry report submitted, the matter now moves to the political arena.
Under Article 124(4) of the Constitution, Justice Varma’s potential removal would require parliamentary approval through an impeachment process.
This development marks one of the rare instances where a sitting High Court judge faces such serious disciplinary action, raising significant questions about judicial accountability mechanisms in India.
The case has reignited debates about transparency and ethical standards within India’s judiciary. Legal experts suggest this could set an important precedent for handling similar cases of judicial misconduct in the future.
All eyes now turn to the President’s Office for a decision on initiating impeachment proceedings, while Parliament prepares for what could become a landmark moment in India’s judicial history.
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