Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge at the Allahabad High Court, has resigned immediately, handing in his papers to President Droupadi Murmu. This unexpected development occurs against the backdrop of an intensifying impeachment process, cutting short what was expected to be a prolonged legal battle.
The judge’s letter conveys deep sorrow over his decision, noting that he felt compelled to step down due to certain unavoidable reasons without elaborating further. He paid tribute to the privilege of serving on the high court bench, marking an honorable end to his career on his own terms.
The communication was simultaneously sent to CJI Justice Suryakant, signaling the formal closure of his judicial role. This resignation effectively sidesteps the active investigation by a parliamentary committee into grave misconduct allegations.
The saga began with a shocking discovery in March 2025: charred banknotes found in an outhouse attached to his official Delhi High Court residence. What started as an internal matter snowballed into a national controversy, drawing sharp criticism from political circles.
Impeachment resolutions gained traction in July 2025, supported by substantial numbers from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha Speaker swiftly formed an inquiry panel as per the 1968 Act, a move that Justice Varma contested vigorously in the Supreme Court.
His Supreme Court petition highlighted supposed procedural flaws, demanding joint consultation between presiding officers of the two houses. Undeterred, the apex court bench of Justices Datta and Sharma rejected the plea outright, deeming the process legitimate.
Earlier, an internal three-member committee had indicted him for maintaining control over the illicit cash, a finding endorsed by the Supreme Court as impartial. This led to removal recommendations from former CJI Sanjiv Khanna and the subsequent parliamentary probe, recently restructured post a key member’s retirement.
As Parliament and the judiciary navigate this unprecedented resignation, observers are left pondering its implications for impeachment precedents and the resilience of India’s judicial system. Justice Varma’s departure underscores the personal toll of such high-profile controversies.
