Justice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row
Justice Yashwant Varma has resigned amid the controversy over the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence and the impeachment process initiated against him. The resignation comes as the issue continues to draw national attention over judicial accountability and the constitutional mechanism for removing a judge.
Justice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row
Justice Varma submitted his resignation to the President on Friday while impeachment proceedings were already moving forward in Parliament. He had earlier been serving in the Allahabad High Court after being transferred from the Delhi High Court when the controversy surfaced. His resignation marks a major development in a case that had already triggered intense legal and political scrutiny.
Cash Recovery Case Triggered Inquiry
The case centres on allegations that a large amount of unaccounted cash was found after a fire broke out in a storeroom at Justice Varma’s official residence on March 14. Fire tenders responding to the blaze reportedly discovered the cash. Justice Varma was not present at the residence at the time. The incident led to a Supreme Court-led in-house inquiry, which later recommended further action.
Impeachment Process Had Already Begun
The matter had already entered the constitutional process for possible impeachment. A motion signed by 146 Members of Parliament was accepted by the Lok Sabha Speaker, who then constituted a three-member committee to examine the allegations. Justice Varma had also challenged the inquiry process and questioned its constitutional validity. His resignation now adds a fresh dimension to the case, even as debate continues over accountability within the higher judiciary.
