Parliamentary panel finds charges proved against ex-judge Yashwant Varma

Almost 18 months after burnt currency notes were found at his official residence, a parliamentary inquiry committee has found all charges proved against former Delhi high court judge Yashwant Varma, paving the way for impeachment proceedings. The Times of India reports that the panel's report was tabled in the Lok Sabha, and the Centre is now expected to pursue removal despite Varma having resigned on April 10, 2025.

The saga began on the night of March 14-15, 2025, when firefighters responding to a blaze at Varma's residence discovered a large quantity of burnt cash in a storeroom. An in-house inquiry by the Supreme Court recommended his removal, and a separate parliamentary committee under Justice Aravind Kumar was constituted. Varma challenged the proceedings through 11 interim applications but later withdrew from the inquiry, questioning its fairness, before resigning as a judge of the Allahabad high court.

Varma has denied the allegations, calling the suggestion that the cash belonged to him or his family 'totally preposterous.' The case now raises a constitutional question: why Parliament is pursuing removal of a judge who is no longer in office, and what the impeachment would mean for the judiciary.