Is Yashwant Varma still a judge?
Legal uncertainty surrounds the status of former judge Yashwant Varma following his resignation amid a probe into the discovery of burnt currency at his residence. Parliament is set to review the inquiry report, while questions remain regarding whether his resignation requires presidential acceptance.
Why it matters
The case raises significant constitutional questions regarding the independence of the judiciary and the procedural requirements for judges resigning under investigation.
Parliament is set to take up in the coming Monsoon Session the report of the Committee appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 to investigate charges of misbehaviour against former Judge of the Allahabad and Delhi High Courts, Yashwant Varma, who has since resigned. The allegations against him arise from the discovery in March 2025 of partially burnt currency notes in an outhouse at his official residence. Mystery surrounds his current status and the future course of the pending proceedings in Parliament.
On one hand, three months after his resignation, Mr. Varma continues to be listed by the Allahabad High Court and by the Department of Justice of the Union government as a sitting judge. This has given rise to misgivings about whether his resignation has taken effect or remains subject to acceptance by the President.
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