HC Judge, caught with bundles of cash, steps down

• Justice Varma resigned from Allahabad HC, submitting it to the President.
• Cash was discovered at his Delhi residence last year, triggering an inquiry.
• Resignation removes judicial immunity, potentially allowing legal action.

Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court has submitted his resignation to the President on Friday. He was earlier transferred from the Delhi High Court back to Allahabad following a controversy

over alleged cash discovery at his residence.

His resignation letter to the President of India reportedly does not mention any reason for stepping down.

“While I do not propose to burden your august office with the reasons which have constrained me to submit this missive, it is with deep anguish that I hereby tender my resignation from the office of Judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, with immediate effect. It has been an honour to serve in this office,” Verma wrote in his resignation letter.

He took oath on April 5, 2025, and is currently facing an in-house inquiry, with the possibility of parliamentary removal proceedings in connection with the allegations.

With this move, Justice Varma is understood to lose the constitutional immunity available to sitting judges, making it possible for a criminal case to be registered against him and for arrest proceedings to follow. However, these steps would take effect only after the President of India accepts his resignation.

Cash Discovery Row

In March last year, stacks of cash were found at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi following a massive fire. The then Chief Justice took cognisance of the incident and transferred Justice Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court, with directions to its Chief Justice not to assign him any judicial responsibilities.

The court had subsequently withdrawn judicial work from Justice Varma at the Delhi High Court.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in August 2025 announced a three-member panel to probe allegations against Justice Varma.

In an unprecedented step, the court also uploaded photographs and videos of the cash allegedly recovered from his residence. Justice Varma had denied the allegations, stating that neither he nor his family had ever stored cash in the storeroom, and adding that the room was accessible to all.