Date: July 21, 2025
Today, the Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed the formal initiation of impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, following allegations of misconduct tied to the discovery of burnt currency at his residence.
What’s Happening in Parliament
- Rajya Sabha Update:
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar acknowledged receiving a motion supported by 63 opposition MPs, marking the first required threshold for starting the Judges Inquiry Act process. - Lok Sabha Update:
A bipartisan memorandum backed by 152 MPs, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, was submitted to Speaker Om Birla. - As motions were admitted in both Houses on the same day, the process will now proceed with convening a three-member inquiry committee, as mandated by the Judges Inquiry Act .
The Allegations Against Justice Varma
- In March, a fire at his Delhi residence revealed burnt and partially burnt ₹500 notes stored in an outhouse.
- A 3‑judge Supreme Court-appointed panel found the incident “serious enough” to recommend removal, prompting former CJI Sanjiv Khanna to forward the findings to the President and PM .
- Justice Varma has contested the in‑house inquiry’s procedure in the Supreme Court, labelling the allegations a “conspiracy”.
Next Steps in the Impeachment Process
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Constitution of Inquiry Committee – A Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and a jurist will review the charges over approximately three months. |
| 2 | Report Submission – Committee findings will be tabled in both Houses. |
| 3 | Debate and Voting – To pass removal, a majority of the total members and two-thirds of the members present must vote in favour. |
| 4 | Presidential Order – Upon successful vote, the President can issue an order for removal under Articles 124/217/218. |
Political Ramifications & Public Reaction
- Seen as a rare and significant test of judicial accountability, the impeachment motion has garnered unusual cross-party unity between ruling and opposition MPs .
- Many view it as a move toward greater transparency in the judiciary: The Allahabad High Court Bar Association described it as “a victory for the public” The Times of India.
- However, critics argue that rushing to proceedings without full transparency from the in‑house panel could set a worrying precedent.
Why This Impeachment Matters
- This step would mark one of the rare instances of initiating impeachment against a High Court judge.
- It signals Parliament’s willingness to apply constitutional checks and balances on the judiciary.
- The outcome could reshape public trust and oversight mechanisms for judicial conduct in India.
This story is evolving. We’ll keep you updated as the inquiry committee forms, hearings commence, and Parliament takes further steps.
