Following a probe by a three-judge committee that reportedly confirmed the presence of unaccounted cash at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna is said to have requested the judge’s resignation. However, Justice Varma declined to step down.
Subsequently, the CJI forwarded the inquiry panel’s findings, along with Justice Varma’s response, to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommending that the process for Justice Varma’s removal be initiated.
In an official statement issued Thursday, it was confirmed that the CJI, adhering to the ‘In-House Procedure’, sent the committee’s report dated 3 May 2025, and Justice Varma’s reply dated 6 May 2025, to the President and the Prime Minister.
The inquiry panel was established on 22 March and included Justice Sheel Nagu (Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court), Justice G S Sandhawalia (Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court), and Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court judge). The committee was tasked with examining allegations that surfaced following a fire incident at Justice Varma’s home, during which cash was allegedly discovered. Justice Varma was recently appointed to the Allahabad High Court, taking oath on 5 April.
Upon receiving the committee’s report, CJI Khanna is believed to have sent a letter to Justice Varma on 4 May, attaching the report and suggesting that resignation would be an appropriate course of action. Justice Varma, however, chose not to resign.
(With inputs from Indian Express)
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