The Lok Sabha has taken a decisive step in the high-profile Justice Yashwant Varma cash recovery row, with Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday announcing the formation of a three-member committee to examine the proposal for the judge’s impeachment. This move follows a motion backed by 146 Members of Parliament seeking his removal after a large stash of burnt and unaccounted cash was allegedly recovered from his residence.

Panel Composition and Mandate

The newly formed committee will be headed by Supreme Court judge Aravind Kumar, alongside Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and eminent jurist B V Acharya. Their role is to probe the charges against Justice Yashwant Varma in detail.

Speaker Om Birla stated that the panel will submit its report “as early as possible” and that the proposal for impeachment will remain pending until the report is received. This is a crucial step under Article 124(4) of the Indian Constitution, which governs the procedure for removing a judge of the higher judiciary.

Impeachment Procedure in India

As per constitutional provisions, the impeachment process involves the committee collecting evidence, summoning witnesses, and cross-examining them to determine whether the charges hold merit.

If the committee finds the judge guilty, its report will be tabled in the House where the motion originated — in this case, the Lok Sabha. The motion must then be passed by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. The same process is repeated in the Rajya Sabha.

Given that both the ruling coalition and the opposition appear aligned on the removal of Justice Varma, political observers expect the proceedings to move forward without significant hurdles.

Background of the Cash Recovery Row

The controversy began on March 14 when a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s residence. Firefighters responding to the incident reportedly discovered a large stash of cash, with videos emerging of bundles of currency burning in the blaze.

This discovery prompted allegations of corruption against the judge. Justice Yashwant Varma denied the allegations, describing them as part of a conspiracy to frame him.

Following the uproar, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) ordered an in-house inquiry and, on March 22, constituted a separate three-member committee to investigate the allegations.

In the aftermath, Justice Varma was repatriated to the Allahabad High Court, where he was formally sworn in. However, in line with the CJI’s directives, his judicial responsibilities were withdrawn pending the outcome of the inquiry.

Significance of the Case

This is one of the rare instances in Indian history where impeachment proceedings have been initiated against a sitting or recently transferred High Court judge. The case has drawn intense public and media attention, both for its sensational nature — involving the alleged recovery of burnt currency bundles — and for its potential to set a precedent in holding members of the judiciary accountable.

The coming weeks will see the parliamentary impeachment process move forward, with the committee’s findings expected to play a decisive role in determining Justice Varma’s future in the judiciary.

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