Centre to Initiate Removal Motion Against Justice Yashwant Varma

Prominent opposition parties have extended their support in principle for the motion to remove Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Thursday. The move comes following allegations linked to a large sum of cash found after a fire incident at the judge's official residence earlier this year.

Speaking to the media, Rijiju said the government is yet to decide whether the motion will be introduced in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, but the process of collecting signatures could begin soon.

"Once the House is decided, signatures will be collected as per procedure," Rijiju said.

As per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, a motion to remove a judge requires the support of 100 MPs in Lok Sabha or 50 MPs in Rajya Sabha. Once admitted, the Speaker or the Chairman will constitute a three-member committee to investigate the allegations. The committee would include the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice of a High Court, and a distinguished jurist.

In March this year, a fire incident at Justice Varma's residence in Delhi led to the discovery of several burnt sacks of cash stored in the outhouse. While Justice Varma claimed ignorance regarding the money, a Supreme Court-appointed panel launched an internal probe.

Though the report by the three-judge in-house committee did not formally indict Justice Varma, it documented witness statements and recommended a course of action. Based on this, then-CJI Sanjiv Khanna wrote to the President and Prime Minister, suggesting Justice Varma's removal. He is also believed to have personally urged the judge to resign-a request Varma declined.

Justice Varma has since been repatriated to the Allahabad High Court, where he currently holds no judicial responsibilities.

Rijiju emphasised that since the matter involves allegations of corruption in the judiciary, the government wants consensus among all political parties before proceeding. The Monsoon Session of Parliament, beginning July 21, may see formal developments on the issue.

"This is a serious matter concerning judicial integrity. The government is proceeding cautiously and seeking a united approach," Rijiju noted.

The move is seen as a rare instance of Parliament considering the removal of a sitting High Court judge - a process that has been invoked only a few times in India's judicial history.