Impeachment Path Cleared: Lok Sabha Forms Panel to Probe Justice Yashwant Varma in Cash Row

Impeachment Path Cleared: Lok Sabha Forms Panel to Probe Justice Yashwant Varma in Cash Row

RMN News Report Highlights:

• Lok Sabha has formed a three-member panel to investigate Justice Yashwant Varma, accepting an impeachment motion signed by 146 MPs.
• The investigation stems from the discovery of a large cash stash at Justice Varma’s official residence after a fire broke out on March 14.
• The Supreme Court dismissed Justice Varma’s plea challenging an in-house inquiry report, thereby clearing the path for Parliament to proceed with impeachment.
• An in-house inquiry panel previously found “sufficient substance” in the allegations against Justice Varma and recommended his removal.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | August 12, 2025

New Delhi, India – August 12, 2025 – The Lok Sabha has taken a significant step towards the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, with Speaker Om Birla accepting a motion signed by 146 Members of Parliament (MPs) and announcing the formation of a three-member panel to investigate allegations against him. This development follows the discovery of a huge pile of cash at Justice Varma’s official residence and the recent dismissal of his plea by the Supreme Court challenging an in-house inquiry report that recommended his removal.

The newly formed three-member panel, tasked with probing the allegations, comprises Justice Aravind Kumar of the Supreme Court, Justice Maninder Mohan, the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, and senior advocate BV Acharaya. Speaker Om Birla stated today (August 12) that the committee is expected to submit its report as early as possible, and the impeachment proposal will remain pending until the report’s receipt.

The controversy initially surfaced on March 14, when a large stash of cash, with some stacks reportedly over 1.5 feet high, was discovered at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi after a fire broke out. Justice Varma was not present at his residence at the time of the fire.

Following the discovery, the Supreme Court took immediate action, transferring Justice Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court and withdrawing all judicial work from him. An in-house inquiry panel, established by the Supreme Court, examined 55 witnesses and concluded that there was “sufficient substance” in the allegations. The panel found that Justice Varma and his family members had “active control” over the room where the cash was found and subsequently recommended his removal.

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Justice Varma had challenged the in-house panel’s findings before the Supreme Court, asserting that the panel acted in a “pre-determined manner” and denied him a fair opportunity to defend himself. However, the top court maintained that there was no violation of his fundamental rights and dismissed his petition, effectively clearing the way for Parliament to proceed with impeachment. This decision has intensified public scrutiny on judicial integrity within the Indian judiciary.

The procedure for the impeachment of a judge is stipulated under Article 124(4) of the Constitution. The committee set up by the Lok Sabha will submit its report to the Speaker, who will then place it before the House. The committee possesses the authority to call for evidence and cross-examine witnesses.

Should the judge be found guilty, the panel’s report will be adopted by the House in which it was first introduced. Subsequently, a motion will be put to a vote, which must then be repeated in the other house. For a judge to be impeached, at least two-thirds of those “present and voting” in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must vote in favor of the motion. Given that both the ruling coalition and the opposition are reportedly in agreement regarding Justice Varma’s impeachment, the process is anticipated to proceed smoothly.