Impeachment motion against Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma in Monsoon session

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.

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.