Supreme Court to Hear Justice Yashwant Varma’s Plea on Committee Report on July 28

Swift Summary

• an in-house inquiry committee of three judges confirmed that unaccounted cash was found in a gutted storeroom at the official residence of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma after a blaze on March 14-15, 2025.
• The inquiry report recommended his removal from office, forwarded to the prime Minister and President by former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna (now retired) after Justice Varma refused to resign.
• Justice Varma filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the process as an “extra-constitutional mechanism” that allegedly bypasses Parliament’s exclusive authority under Articles 124 and 218 of the Constitution.
• Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued for an early hearing, citing constitutional issues with former CJI Khanna’s recommendation for removal.
• The judicial question comes amid notices submitted by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members regarding Justice Varma’s removal motion.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This controversial case raises meaningful questions about judicial accountability and separation of powers within India’s democratic framework.On one hand,discovering unaccounted cash under questionable circumstances necessitates robust interrogation to uphold integrity within judiciary ranks. On the other hand, challenges purporting misuse or overreach by an “in-house inquiry” committee highlight potential constitutional concerns regarding procedural compliance under Articles 124/218.

Critical examination by Supreme Court into whether such inquiries circumvent parliamentary mechanisms could hold long-term implications for how disciplinary actions against judges are structured. It underscores balancing institutional independence while safeguarding credibility. Maintaining neutrality in addressing such high-stakes conflicts remains vital to India’s legal system’s stability.

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