Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma has resigned, with the impeachment process against him said to be nearing its final stage. The move comes amid a major controversy over the seizure of cash from his Delhi residence.
Varma, 57, had been serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court and was staying in an official bungalow in the capital. On March 14 last year, a fire broke out at his residence, and while dousing the flames, firefighters reportedly recovered bundles of burnt Rs 500 notes.
The incident triggered nationwide attention, following which Varma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court. As allegations against him were said to have been substantiated, the Supreme Court conducted a departmental inquiry and recommended his removal to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In Parliament, a notice seeking his removal was submitted on behalf of 208 MPs—146 from the Lok Sabha and 62 from the Rajya Sabha. After the Lok Sabha admitted the motion, Speaker Om Birla constituted a three-member committee to investigate and submit a report; the Supreme Court later dismissed Varma’s plea challenging this process.
With the committee’s inquiry reportedly reaching its concluding phase, Varma sent his resignation to the President, stating that he was stepping down “with deep pain” and that serving as a judge had been an honour. Judicial circles indicated he resigned fearing possible removal through Parliament.
