Justice Varma Moves SC As Lok Sabha Prepares for Motion Seeking His Removal Over Cash Row Case

The Lok Sabha is expected to take up a motion for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, following his indictment by the Supreme Court, The Indian Express reported, citing sources.

This comes after large sums of cash were found at his Delhi residence in March 2025. The motion is anticipated during the Monsoon Session starting on July 21. However, he has approached the Supreme Court against the report of an in-house inquiry committee formed by former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.

Issue To Be Taken Up During Monsoon Session

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the English daily that removing a judge from the Supreme Court or High Court falls under Parliament's jurisdiction. "The removal of a Supreme Court or a High Court judge is a matter that is the authority of Parliament. It is independent of what is happening in the Supreme Court," Rijiju stated.

The minister been engaging with leaders to reach an agreement before initiating the removal motion. He stressed that impeaching a judge over corruption should not be politicised and requires collective agreement among parties. "The impeachment of a High Court or Supreme Court judge on corruption issues cannot be political. Government should take everyone on board as there is no scope for differences among parties on this," Rijiju told the daily.

A committee led by then Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna has already indicted Justice Varma. It included Justice Sheel Nagu from Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice G S Sandhawalia from Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Karnataka High Court's Justice Anu Sivaraman.

Meanwhile, Justice Varma has challenged the constitutionality of a letter sent by then-Chief Justice Khanna (now retired) to the President and Prime Minister, which recommended Varma's removal from his judicial office.

Chief Justice Khanna had confidentially forwarded a May 3 report from a three-judge committee to the President and Prime Minister. This occurred just days before Khanna's retirement on May 13, after Justice Varma had declined to resign voluntarily.

Justice Varma contends the committee's formation lacked any statutory or constitutional basis, thus making its recommendation for his removal from a constitutional office legally invalid. He argues the reports are riddled with inferences, and that he was subjected to intense media speculation and trial. Varma states he was denied a fair hearing and the opportunity to respond to witness allegations, violating principles of natural justice. He highlights that key questions, such as the source of cash and the cause of a fire, were unaddressed in the committee's report. Furthermore, Varma argues that the removal letter was sent by the then CJI within hours of receiving the inquiry report and without any personal interaction with him.

Who Is Justice Yashwant Varma?

Justice Yashwant Varma, aged 56, began his legal career in 1992. He became an additional judge at the Allahabad High Court on October 13, 2014, and was made a permanent judge on February 1, 2016. Born in Allahabad on January 6, 1969, he studied at Hansraj College and earned his LLB from Rewa University.

Justice Varma's legal practice at the Allahabad High Court covered constitutional law and labour legislation among other areas. He served as special counsel for Allahabad High Court until his elevation and was chief standing counsel for Uttar Pradesh government until August 2013 when he became a senior advocate.