Justice Yashwant Varma impeachment: Inquiry Panel Recommends Impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma Over Burnt Cash Scandal

New Delhi | Justice Yashwant Varma impeachment: A high-powered judicial panel has found “serious misconduct” by Justice Yashwant Varma, currently serving at the Allahabad High Court, in connection with a suspicious cash stash and suspected tampering. The three-judge in‑house committee, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has recommended initiation of impeachment proceedings against him.

Panel Investigation Highlights

The panel conducted a thorough 10-day inquiry, during which it:

• Examined 55 witnesses
• Visited the official residence at 30 Tughlaq Crescent, Delhi
• Investigated the accidental fire that broke out there at 11:35 pm on March 14

The core of the controversy lies in the discovery of a store room containing partially burnt bundles of cash. The committee determined that Justice Varma and his family had “covert or active control” over the room, and suggested that significant portions of money were removed in the early hours of March 15. These acts, the panel concluded, constitute serious misconduct warranting removal.

Key Findings from the Panel Report

According to the 64-page inquiry report,

“The cash/money was found in the store room of 30 Tughlaq Crescent… access was within the covert or active control of Justice Varma and his family… the burnt cash/money was removed during the wee hours of 15.3.2025.”

The panel also referenced a letter from the Chief Justice of India (CJI) dated March 22, which had first raised the allegations of wrongdoing.

Comparing the judge’s actions against the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” (adopted in 1997), the panel emphasised that judges must uphold probity and maintain unimpeachable character and conduct—both inside and outside the courtroom.

Next Step: Impeachment Recommendation

Following the report, former CJI Sanjiv Khanna formally wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommending that the Parliament initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma.

The committee stressed:

“There is sufficient substance in the allegations… the misconduct found is serious enough to call for initiation of proceedings for removal of Justice Varma.”

Why This Case Matters

• Judicial integrity is crucial to maintaining public confidence in the legal system—judges are held to the highest ethical standards, even higher than civil servants.
• Any impairment in probity or trust—especially by a member of the superior judiciary—erodes faith in the institution.
• The case serves as a rare reminder that judges are not above scrutiny, and even Senior High Court judges can face impeachment if involved in serious abuse of power.

What Happens Next

• Parliament will receive the impeachment proposal and must form a committee to review the evidence.
• If the process advances, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must approve the impeachment motion by a special majority.
• Justice Varma will have the opportunity to defend himself before the committee and at various stages in the process.

Conclusion

The Justice Yashwant Varma cash controversy marks a critical test for India’s judiciary and parliamentary oversight mechanisms. With compelling evidence of concealed cash and improper behavior linked to a sitting judge, the suggested impeachment path emphasizes that India’s highest legal officers must remain beyond reproach—or face the full rigour of accountability.