Justice Varma resigns from Allahabad High Court amid parliamentary removal proceedings
Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu while facing a parliamentary motion for removal. His decision came as a panel, appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, was set to investigate allegations of burnt currency recovered from his official Delhi residence during a fire in March last year. In a separate letter, Justice Varma withdrew from the inquiry, terming it 'unfair' and expressing deep anguish. The controversy, which began on March 14, 2025, with the discovery of unaccounted cash, escalated into a major scandal, raising questions about judicial integrity and accountability.
Key Points
- Justice Yashwant Varma resigned from the Allahabad High Court while facing a parliamentary motion for his removal.
- His resignation coincided with the formation of an inquiry panel under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to investigate allegations of burnt currency found at his official residence.
- Justice Varma explicitly withdrew from the inquiry proceedings, labeling them as 'unfair' and expressing profound sadness.
- The controversy originated from the discovery of a large amount of unaccounted cash during a fire-fighting operation at his Delhi residence, leading to a significant scandal.
- The incident sparked widespread concerns regarding judicial integrity and accountability within the legal system.
Exam Facts
- Justice Yashwant Varma was a judge of the Allahabad High Court.
- The inquiry panel was appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
- The legal framework for the inquiry is the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
- The controversy erupted on March 14, 2025, with the discovery of burnt currency.
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