CJI Recommends Removal of Justice Yashwant Varma After In-House Panel Finds Merit in Cash Recovery Allegations
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has recommended initiating the process for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, following the findings of a judicial inquiry that gave credibility to allegations concerning unaccounted cash found at his residence.
Despite being urged to resign in light of the panel’s conclusions, Justice Varma has declined to step down from his position.
By the judiciary’s In-House Procedure, CJI Khanna has forwarded the report compiled by a three-judge inquiry committee, along with Justice Varma’s written response, to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An official release issued on Thursday confirmed this action, stating that the CJI has written to both the President and the Prime Minister, enclosing a copy of the panel’s report dated May 3, 2025, and Justice Varma’s reply dated May 6, 2025.
The panel was constituted on March 22 by CJI Khanna to investigate allegations linked to a significant cash recovery at Justice Varma’s residence, which reportedly came to light following a fire incident.
The three-member committee was headed by Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and also included Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Justice Anu Sivaraman of the Karnataka High Court.
The cash recovery has raised serious questions about judicial conduct, prompting the CJI to act promptly. After receiving the committee’s findings, CJI Khanna wrote directly to Justice Varma on May 4, enclosing the report and extending the opportunity for him to voluntarily resign before any formal proceedings were initiated.
However, Justice Varma, who was recently sworn in as a judge of the Allahabad High Court on April 5, has reportedly refused the suggestion.
With the judge declining to resign, the Chief Justice has now escalated the matter to the executive branch, formally recommending that President Murmu initiate proceedings to remove Justice Varma from office, marking a significant step in ensuring judicial accountability.
