An impeachment inquiry committee has found all three charges proved against Justice Yashwant Varma in connection with the alleged discovery of unaccounted cash at his official residence, according to its
report tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday.
The report of the three-member Judges Inquiry Committee was laid in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha by the respective secretaries general.
The findings were presented in two volumes, containing oral and documentary evidence recorded during the course of the investigation.
The committee had submitted its findings to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in May after examining the allegations against Justice Varma.
Panel Finds All Three Charges Proved
The committee’s findings centre on the discovery of substantial quantities of Rs 500 currency notes in a storeroom at Justice Varma’s official residence following a fire on the night of March 14, 2025.
According to the report, Justice Varma failed to satisfactorily explain the source, ownership or presence of the cash in the storeroom.
The panel also examined the circumstances surrounding the storeroom after the fire.
It noted that the room was disturbed before it could be properly sealed and inspected, resulting in a failure to preserve material evidence.
The committee further highlighted that Justice Varma initially denied the allegations but subsequently put forward multiple alternative theories, including that the cash could have been planted, that there was a conspiracy and that others could have been involved.
However, the panel said no supporting evidence was produced for these explanations.
2 AM Interaction With Staff Flagged
The inquiry panel also specifically flagged Justice Varma’s interaction with staff at around 2 am after the fire incident.
According to the report, Justice Varma did not disclose what was discussed during the interaction or what instructions were given.
The committee noted that the relevant staff members were not examined in the judge’s defence to explain the crucial communication.
The panel drew an adverse inference from the failure to provide a full explanation of the 2 am interaction.
It also noted that no FIR or formal complaint was filed alleging that the cash had been planted or that evidence had been tampered with.
Relevant staff members were also not examined in defence, another factor considered by the committee while assessing the explanations put forward by Justice Varma.
Panel Calls Explanation Evasive And Incomplete
In its final finding, the committee concluded that Justice Varma’s explanation was evasive, incomplete and misleading in effect.
The panel said the conduct fell short of the transparency, candour and institutional responsibility expected of a judge of a constitutional court.
The findings come after an in-house committee constituted by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had concluded that Justice Varma had “active or tacit control” over the specific storeroom where the cash was found.
Justice Varma was a judge of the Delhi High Court when the controversy emerged. He was subsequently repatriated to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court.
Over 200 MPs Signed Removal Motion
In July 2025, more than 200 MPs signed a motion seeking the removal of Justice Varma.
In August last year, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted the three-member Judges Inquiry Committee to examine the charges.
The report has now been formally tabled in Parliament, recording the committee’s conclusion that all three charges against Justice Varma were proved.
Justice Varma has since resigned, and the removal proceedings against him have consequently become virtually infructuous.
His resignation, however, has not yet been notified by the Law Ministry.
