Over 200 MPs Move to Impeach Justice Yashwant Varma
In a rare and significant move, over 200 Members of Parliament have initiated impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma. The motion has been signed by 145 MPs from the Lok Sabha and 63 from the Rajya Sabha, surpassing the constitutional threshold required to begin the process.
Controversy Over Cash Found at Residence
The impeachment demand stems from a March incident where large amounts of partially burnt cash were discovered in a storeroom of Justice Varma’s government residence during a fire-related inspection. A judicial inquiry found serious lapses in the judge’s explanation and recommended his removal. Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing and has challenged the inquiry in the Supreme Court.
Wide Political Consensus
The motion has received support from both ruling and opposition MPs, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that the number of Lok Sabha signatories crossed 100. In the Rajya Sabha, the motion was formally submitted and received by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who will now verify signatures and decide on the motion’s admissibility.
Next Steps in the Process
If the motion is admitted, a three-member inquiry committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice of a High Court, and a distinguished jurist will investigate the charges. The panel will have up to three months to submit its report. If both Houses of Parliament approve the motion with a two-thirds majority, the President can then formally remove the judge.
Rare Move in Indian Judicial History
This is among the very few times that the Indian Parliament has moved to impeach a sitting judge. The development has sparked renewed debate about judicial accountability, transparency, and the checks and balances between the judiciary and legislature. Legal experts and political observers will be watching closely as the proceedings unfold in the coming weeks.
