The inquiry into Justice Yashwant Varma's alleged possession of unexplained cash has reached a critical juncture, with a three-member committee appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla finding all three Articles of Charge against him "proved." The panel's report was tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday.
How the Controversy Began
The case traces back to a fire at Justice Varma's official residence at 30, Tughlaq Crescent in New Delhi, on March 14, 2025. Firefighters responding to the blaze reportedly found burnt currency notes in a storeroom on the premises. Justice Varma, who was then a judge of the Delhi High Court, denied any ownership of the cash and raised questions about how the evidence had been handled and documented.
Where Things Stand Now
With the inquiry committee's findings now formally tabled in Parliament, all three charges against Justice Varma have been deemed proven. The government has not issued an official statement on the matter, but senior officials have reportedly indicated that the removal process against him can proceed, arguing that the proceedings had already begun well before Justice Varma's resignation.
The case has drawn significant attention as one of the more serious instances of judicial accountability scrutiny in recent memory, raising questions about how allegations against sitting judges are investigated and what constitutional mechanisms come into play once a parliamentary inquiry finds charges proven.
FAQs
Q1. What did the parliamentary inquiry committee find?
The three-member committee, appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, found all three Articles of Charge against Justice Yashwant Varma "proved."
Q2. What originally triggered the case against Justice Varma?
A fire at his official residence in March 2025 led firefighters to discover burnt currency notes in a storeroom, which he denied owning.
Q3. Can the removal process continue even after Justice Varma's resignation?
Senior officials have indicated it can, arguing the removal proceedings had already started before he resigned.