https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

CJI Initiates Removal Proceedings Against Justice Yashwant Varma Over Cash Recovery Allegations

If the process concludes with Varma's removal, he would become the first judge of a constitutional court in India to be removed through this route.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has initiated proceedings for the removal of a sitting high court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, after a three-member in-house enquiry committee confirmed allegations of cash recovery from his residence.

The CJI has formally written to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the allegations are serious enough to warrant removal proceedings under the Constitution. If the process concludes with Varma’s removal, he would become the first judge of a constitutional court in India to be removed through this route.

According to sources, a fire incident at Varma’s then-residence in Delhi on March 14 led to the discovery of half-burnt currency notes stored in a sack. Fire service and police officials recorded the discovery on video. Following a preliminary probe ordered by the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, the CJI constituted an in-house committee on March 22, comprising Chief Justices Sheel Nagu (Punjab & Haryana), G.S. Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh), and Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka).

The committee submitted its report to the CJI on May 5, confirming the recovery of the cash. On May 6, Justice Varma submitted his response, reiterating his denial of the allegations and refusing to resign or seek voluntary retirement. He termed the entire episode a “conspiracy”.

In accordance with the In-House Procedure adopted by the Supreme Court in 1999, CJI Khanna has refrained from assigning judicial work to Justice Varma, now posted at the Allahabad High Court. This step was taken after Varma declined the option to step down, a move that typically precedes formal removal proceedings.

The Supreme Court, in a press release, stated that CJI Khanna enclosed the committee’s May 3 report and Justice Varma’s May 6 response in his communication to the President and Prime Minister.

Under Articles 124(4) and 217(1) of the Constitution, a judge may be removed only by a Presidential order after both Houses of Parliament pass a motion with a two-thirds majority, citing “proved misbehaviour” or “incapacity”. While several motions have been introduced in the past, no Supreme Court or high court judge has ever been successfully removed under this provision.

The move marks a significant test of judicial accountability in India, potentially setting a historic precedent in the country’s legal and constitutional framework.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar bribery case
Bribery to Benami Assets: CBI Registers Disproportionate Assets Case Against IPS Harcharan Singh Bhullar; Massive Cash, Gold, & Property Recovered
President Droupadi Murmu Rafale flight
Historic First: At 67, President Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Indian President to Fly in Rafale Fighter Jet, Calls It an ‘Unforgettable Experience’
MRPL_Bags_4th_Successive_Best_
MRPL Wins 4th Consecutive Innovation Award 2024-25 for GOAT Technology at 28th Energy Technology Meet
REC_Limited_and_SMFCL_sign_MoU_
REC Limited and SMFCL Partner to Drive Maritime Infrastructure Growth and Strengthen India’s Blue Economy
NLC-INDIA-resized-neyvili
NLCIL Posts Rs. 1,564 Crore PAT and Expands Renewable Energy Portfolio with New Projects in Q2 2025-26
Koyla Shakti Dashboard NICDC ULIP
Koyla Shakti Dashboard: A Leap Towards Smart, Data-Driven Coal and Logistics Management in India
QMF seeker technology
From Radars to Missiles: DRDO Unveils Cutting-Edge Indigenous Technologies to Strengthen India’s Defence and Boost Combat Readiness
Pushkar Singh Dhami CM
Milam Set for Transformation: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Boosts ITBP Morale and Tourism Plans
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar bribery case
Bribery to Benami Assets: CBI Registers Disproportionate Assets Case Against IPS Harcharan Singh Bhullar; Massive Cash, Gold, & Property Recovered
President Droupadi Murmu Rafale flight
Historic First: At 67, President Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Indian President to Fly in Rafale Fighter Jet, Calls It an ‘Unforgettable Experience’
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT