Impeachment proceedings begin against ex-Delhi HC Judge Yashwant Varma
New Delhi, Jul 21: Parliament on Monday began the impeachment process against former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, days after a major controversy erupted over the discovery of burnt ₹500 currency notes at his official residence, reports, NDTV and several other media outlets.
According to NDTV a total of 145 Members of Parliament, cutting across party lines, signed a memorandum submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to initiate action. The signatories include MPs from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies such as TDP, JD(U), and JD(S), as well as opposition parties like the Congress and the CPI(M).
Prominent political figures who supported the move include Anurag Thakur (BJP), Rahul Gandhi (Congress), and Supriya Sule (NCP-Sharad Pawar faction), reports NDTV.
This marks the first time in independent India that the impeachment process has been initiated against a sitting High Court judge. The proceedings will be conducted under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution, which govern the removal of judges.
The controversy dates back to March 15, when firefighters responding to a blaze at Justice Varma's government bungalow in Delhi discovered piles of burnt cash in the outhouse. The incident triggered a massive public and political uproar, raising serious concerns over corruption within the judiciary. Although Justice Varma denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations a conspiracy, the Supreme Court formed an in-house committee to examine the matter. The panel's report, later submitted to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommended impeachment based on the evidence.
Justice Varma has since been sent back to the Allahabad High Court, his parent bench, and has stepped down from active duty. Last week, he moved the Supreme Court challenging the committee's report, claiming it denied him a fair hearing and exceeded its authority. The impeachment process, governed by the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, requires a formal motion backed by at least 100 Lok Sabha MPs or 50 Rajya Sabha MPs. With the threshold crossed, the Speaker will now examine the request and decide the next steps, which may include forming an inquiry committee to assess the charges. The current development is being closely watched as it may set a precedent for judicial accountability in the country.
