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
SBI_resized
Public Sector Banks Dismiss Rumours of ATM Shutdown, Confirm Full Operational Status
PetrolPump
Amid War Fears, Viral Images of Fuel Queues Spark Panic; Oil PSUs Assure Ample Supply
Ambala Blackout
Amid War Threat, Ambala DM Imposes 10-Hour Nightly Blackout to Avert Drone Strikes - Check Order Here
SBI_resized
SBI to Sell 13.19% Stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s SMBC for ₹8,889 Crore
IRS Gangadhar Panda
Gangadhar Panda Appointed as Principal CIT (OSD) in Principal CCIT Office, Delhi- Know more about him
NHPCMoU
NHPC Signs MoU with RVUNL to Develop 2,000 MW Pumped Storage and Renewable Energy Projects in Rajasthan
Ministry of Coal (resized)
Centre Signs Agreements with key Players to Accelerate Coal Gasification Projects
Indian Army Chief
Rule 33 Invoked: Centre Grants Army Chief Sweeping Powers to Mobilise 14 Territorial Army Battalions Amid Border Escalation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge’s Two Decades of Service in Nagaland
IMG-20250429-WA0019
How Mission IAS is Transforming Dreams of Underprivileged UPSC Aspirants
Aakash Garg
Computer Engineer Aakash Garg Takes AIR-5 in UPSC CSE 2024 Through Sheer Discipline And Hard Work | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
iqbal-ahmad-upsc-2024
From Cycle Repair Shop to UPSC Rank 998: UP's Iqabal Ahmad’s Inspiring Journey Against All Odds
Iqbal Ahmad, son of a handyman from Sant Kabir Nagar, secured 998th rank in UPSC 2024, fulfilling his...
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge’s Two Decades of Service in Nagaland
For over 20 years, IPS officer Sandeep Tamgadge has served Nagaland, navigating its unique cultural landscape...
Shubham Kaurav UPSC
Four Attempts, One Dream: How Shubham Kaurav Cracked UPSC CSE with AIR 291
With determination, self-study, and a strategic mindset, Gwalior’s Shubham Kaurav turned years of hard...
Social Media
Fakenews
Be Aware: Fake Videos and Propaganda Cloud Public Discourse After India’s Cross-Border Strike
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, numerous false and doctored videos claiming to show the strikes...
Indore Road Safety Campaign by Air Hostesses
The Cleanest of India, Indore, Launches Inclusive Road Safety Campaign Featuring Air Hostesses - Know More!
In a unique civic initiative, Indore Traffic Police deployed air hostesses using sign language at key...
Shakti Dubey AIR 1
UPSC Rank 1 Shakti Dubey's Success Sparks Debate on Civil Services Examination System, Ex-IPS Officer Raises Questions
Shakti Dubey’s UPSC Rank 1 success has sparked debate after ex-IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad questioned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Chiefs of Armed Forces
National Security Reinforced by India’s Tri-Force Commanders | Operation Sindoor
SBI_resized
Public Sector Banks Dismiss Rumours of ATM Shutdown, Confirm Full Operational Status
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IMG-20250429-WA0019
Aakash Garg
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT