From burnt cash to possibly first impeachment: Justice Varma saga explained
A parliamentary committee has found evidence of misconduct against former Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma following the discovery of burnt cash at his residence. Despite his resignation, the government is proceeding with impeachment proceedings to address the judicial integrity concerns.
Why it matters
This case sets a significant legal precedent regarding the accountability of judges and the scope of parliamentary power over judicial officers who have already resigned.
NEW DELHI: It began with a fire.On the intervening night of March 14-15, 2025, firefighters responding to a blaze at the official residence of Delhi high court judge Yashwant Varma stumbled upon something far more consequential than the fire itself: a large quantity of burnt currency notes in a storeroom.What followed turned into an extraordinary judicial and political saga: an in-house inquiry, Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad high court, a Parliamentary removal motion, his decision to withdraw from the inquiry and, eventually, his resignation as a judge.Now, almost 18 months after that night, a Parliamentary inquiry committee has found the charges against Varma proved, paving the way for the Centre to pursue his impeachment even though he has already resigned.The case raises a question that goes beyond what happened in that storeroom: Why is Parliament still pursuing the removal of a judge who is no longer in office, and what…
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