Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has formally recommended to the Centre that proceedings be initiated to remove Allahabad High Court’s Justice Yashwant Varma following a judicial inquiry that confirmed the discovery of a substantial sum of cash at his official residence in Delhi. The incident occurred during a fire on March 14, 2025, when Justice Varma was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court.

A three-member panel, comprising Chief Justices Sheel Nagu (Punjab and Haryana High Court) and G.S. Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh High Court), along with Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court), conducted the inquiry. The panel’s report, finalized on May 3, 2025, found credible evidence supporting the allegations of cash recovery. The CJI forwarded the report, along with Justice Varma’s response dated May 6, 2025, to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s in-house procedure.

Justice Varma has denied the allegations, stating that no cash was shown to the staff at his residence. Despite the CJI’s request for his resignation, Justice Varma has refused to step down. This has set the stage for a potential impeachment process, which would require a parliamentary motion and a formal inquiry.

Sources