Justice Yashwant Varma moves SC; questions validity of inquiry report, recommendation for removal

New Delhi: Justice Yashwant Varma, indicted by an in-house inquiry report over discovery of cash haul, has filed a plea in the Supreme Court, challenging the validity of actions initiated against him, including the recommendation for his removal.

In a writ petition, Justice Varma, who was transferred from the Delhi High Court to his parent Allahabad High Court after the controversy, questioned the validity of the in-house procedure, marked by what he claimed as denial of fair hearing and due process.

He also raised the issue of absence of a formal complaint before the inquiry was initiated by the judges panel. Justice Varma contended the Supreme Court's act of uploading a press release on March 22, 2025, disclosing allegations against him led to intense media speculation adversely affecting his reputation and violating the right to dignity.

Justice Varma also claimed the judges committee, formed by the CJI Sanjiv Khanna, denied him an opportunity to rebut the allegations or to cross examine witnesses.

He contended the recommendation to remove him was made without any personal opportunity to explain his case.

The cash haul was allegedly found at the residence of Justice Varma, then Delhi HC judge during the fire incident on March 14-15, 2025.

The judge was subsequently transferred to the Allahabad High Court, his parent High Court.

On March 22, 2025, the then CJI set up the committee headed by Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, and comprising Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka.

The committee finalised its report on May 3, 2025 indicting him, upon analysing the statements of 55 witnesses, including of Justice Varma and conducting the probe for 10 days. Then CJI Sanjiv Khanna forwarded the report to the President and the Prime Minister for further action as Justice Varma reportedly refused to step down.