Justice Yashwant Varma faces resignation ultimatum: avoid impeachment or lose pension?

Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court is under threat of impeachment in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled from July 21 to August 12, following a corruption scandal.

The controversy began when a fire at his residence in March, while he was a judge at the Delhi High Court, revealed several burnt sacks of unaccounted cash. Although Justice Varma denied knowledge of the money, a Supreme Court-appointed in-house panel, led by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, found him culpable after witness statements and his deposition.

"Resignation is the only option before Justice Yashwant Varma to avoid impeachment by Parliament," officials told PTI, as the government prepares to bring a motion for his removal.

If the Parliamentary motion passes, Justice Varma would lose his pension and retirement benefits, a significant consequence underlined by the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968 and Article 217 of the Constitution, which allows a judge to resign by writing to the President without requiring approval.

The government, led by Minister Rijiju, has begun consultations with political parties to build consensus on the impeachment motion, which will be the first such proceeding in the new Parliament building.

"A fire incident at Justice Varma's residence in the national capital in March... led to the discovery of several burnt sacks of cash," highlighting the gravity of the allegations.

The process involves the Speaker or Chairman constituting a three-member committee to investigate the grounds for removal once the motion is admitted.

This case marks a rare and significant moment in judicial accountability, with the Parliament poised to take unprecedented action against a sitting high court judge.

Justice Yashwant Varma of Allahabad High Court faces impeachment in the Monsoon session over a corruption case involving unaccounted cash found after a fire at his residence. Resignation is his only option to avoid removal by Parliament, which would strip him of pension and benefits.