Justice Yashwant Varma Faces Impeachment Motion in Parliament After Allegations Surface

An impeachment motion is set to be introduced against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. The move follows a major controversy after a fire broke out at his official residence in Delhi, during which unaccounted cash was allegedly found. The incident raised serious concerns, prompting the Chief Justice of India to initiate an in-house inquiry.

Background of the Controversy

The issue came to light on March 14, 2025, when a fire broke out at Justice Varma's official residence in Delhi. Subsequent firefighting efforts reportedly led to the discovery of large quantities of cash in the premises. In response, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna initiated an in-house inquiry on March 22, constituting a three-member panel comprising Justices Sheel Nagu, G.S. Sandhawalia, and Anu Sivaraman to investigate the matter. 

Reactions and Implications

The Allahabad High Court Bar Association welcomed the move towards impeachment, describing it as a "victory for the public." Bar Association President Anil Tiwari emphasized that the action reinforces public trust in the judiciary and urged all political parties to support the impeachment motion. 

A three-member panel was constituted to look into the allegations, and Justice Varma was relieved of his judicial duties and transferred to his parent High Court in Allahabad. The panel later submitted its findings to the Chief Justice, who then forwarded the report to the President of India.

The Allahabad High Court Bar Association welcomed the impeachment initiative, calling it a step towards restoring public confidence in the judiciary. Meanwhile, several political leaders have demanded that the contents of the inquiry report be shared with Members of Parliament to ensure transparency in the impeachment process.

Justice Varma has refuted the charges, claiming he is being targeted as part of a conspiracy. As Parliament prepares to take up the matter, all eyes are on whether the required political consensus will be achieved to carry the motion forward.