Lok Sabha Forms 3-Member Panel To Investigate Justice Yashwant Varma Impeachment Over Cash Scandal

On Tuesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted a motion signed by 146 Members of Parliament seeking the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, following the discovery of a large stash of cash at his residence. Subsequently, the Speaker announced the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the allegations against the judge.

The panel comprises Justice Aravind Kumar of the Supreme Court, Justice Maninder Mohan, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, and senior advocate BV Acharya. Speaker Om Birla stated that the committee is expected to submit its report at the earliest, and that the impeachment proposal will remain pending until the report is received.

The impeachment process for a judge is governed by Article 124(4) of the Constitution. The Lok Sabha-appointed committee will investigate the matter and submit its findings to the Speaker, who will then present the report to the House.

This committee holds the authority to summon evidence and cross-examine witnesses. If the judge is found guilty, the House where the motion was first introduced will adopt the committee's report.

Following this, a motion for impeachment will be put to vote, and the same procedure must be carried out in the other House. According to the rules, a minimum of two-thirds of members present and voting in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must approve the impeachment for it to proceed.

With both the ruling coalition and opposition aligned in favor of Justice Varma's impeachment, the process is anticipated to proceed smoothly.

What Has Happened So Far?

This development comes days after the Supreme Court dismissed Justice Varma's plea challenging the in-house inquiry report and the then Chief Justice of India's recommendation to the President for his removal.

The discovery of cash-some stacks measuring over 1.5 feet-was made at the judge's official residence in Delhi following a fire incident on March 14. Justice Varma was not present at his residence at the time.

After the cash was found, the Supreme Court transferred Justice Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court and withdrew all judicial duties assigned to him.

An in-house inquiry panel established by the Supreme Court examined 55 witnesses and concluded that there was "sufficient substance" to the allegations.

The panel's report stated that Justice Varma and his family members exercised "active control" over the room where the cash was discovered and recommended his removal.

In his petition before the Supreme Court, Justice Varma contended that the inquiry panel acted with a "pre-determined manner" and that he was denied a fair opportunity to defend himself.

However, the Supreme Court upheld the process, finding no violation of his fundamental rights, and dismissed his petition.