Judiciary Under Spotlight: Justice Varma Resigns as Inquiry, Impeachment Row Intensifies
Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court has resigned, nearly a year after a major controversy erupted over the alleged recovery of burnt bundles of ₹500 notes from his official residence in Delhi following a fire on March 14, 2025.
After the incident, he was transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court in April 2025 but was not assigned any judicial work pending an inquiry. A three-judge panel had earlier found him guilty and recommended his removal, leading to impeachment proceedings in Parliament.
However, Justice Varma challenged the process, arguing that the inquiry committee was improperly constituted without approval from both Houses of Parliament. The Supreme Court also flagged flaws in the panel and examined the legality of the proceedings.
With legal battles ongoing and scrutiny intensifying, his resignation marks a significant development in one of the most serious controversies involving a sitting High Court judge in recent times.
