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Inquiry committee fast-tracks proceedings in probe against Justice Yashwant Varma
A fire at Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma's residence led to discovery of semi-burnt cash, triggering an in-house inquiry by the Supreme Court, recommendation for removal, impeachment motion, and parliamentary probe upheld by the Supreme Court.
Why It Matters
The case raises critical questions on judicial accountability, impeachment processes under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, and the balance between judicial independence and transparency in handling corruption allegations against high court judges.
Timeline
17 Events
SC dismisses challenge to parliamentary inquiry committee
January 16, 2026
Supreme Court dismisses Justice Varma's challenge to the constitution of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee under Section 3(2) of Judges (Inquiry) Act, allowing probe to proceed.[3][5]
SC reserves judgment on plea against parliamentary committee
January 8, 2026
Supreme Court bench reserves verdict on Justice Varma's plea challenging the parliamentary committee's constitution.[5]
SC dismisses Justice Varma's challenge to in-house inquiry
August 7, 2025
Supreme Court dismisses Justice Varma's plea challenging the in-house inquiry procedure.[1][7]
Lok Sabha Speaker constitutes parliamentary inquiry committee
August 2025
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announces three-member parliamentary panel (Justice Aravind Kumar, Justice Maninder Mohan, senior advocate B.V. Acharya) under Judges (Inquiry) Act.[5]
Lok Sabha Speaker admits impeachment notice
August 12, 2025
Lok Sabha Speaker admits the notice given on July 21, 2025.[6]
Justice Varma seeks urgent hearing; SC reserves judgment
July 23, 2025
Justice Varma seeks urgent hearing on July 23; Supreme Court reserves judgment on July 30.[1]
Justice Varma challenges in-house inquiry report in SC
July 17, 2025
Justice Varma moves Supreme Court seeking invalidation of the in-house inquiry report.[1]
Lok Sabha impeachment notice of motion submitted
July 21, 2025
Notice of motion signed by over 100 Lok Sabha members submitted to Speaker at 12:30 pm; similar notice submitted in Rajya Sabha between 4:07-4:19 pm.[6]
CJI writes to President and PM seeking impeachment
May 8, 2025
Then CJI writes to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi seeking impeachment as Justice Varma refuses to step down.[1][2]
SC panel finds Justice Varma guilty, recommends removal
May 3, 2025
Supreme Court panel holds Justice Varma guilty of misconduct and recommends his removal.[1][2]
Justice Varma transferred to Allahabad High Court
March 28, 2025
Justice Varma transferred to parent Allahabad High Court; Supreme Court asks Allahabad HC CJ not to assign him judicial work.[1][2]
Justice Varma responds; CJI constitutes three-member inquiry committee
March 22, 2025
Justice Varma trashes allegations; CJI Sanjiv Khanna constitutes three-member committee (Justices Sheel Nagu, G.S. Sandhawalia, Anu Sivaraman) for inquiry; Supreme Court uploads in-house inquiry report with photos and videos.[1][2][4]
CJI seeks Justice Varma's written reply; collegium mulls transfer
March 21, 2025
CJI asks for Justice Varma's reply in writing before noon of March 22; Supreme Court collegium considers transferring Justice Varma to Allahabad High Court.[1][2]
Delhi HC CJ shares photos and videos; TOI reports cash discovery
March 20, 2025
Delhi HC CJ shares photographs and videos with CJI; Times of India breaks news on alleged semi-burnt cash at Justice Varma's residence; Delhi HC CJ writes to CJI favouring deeper probe.[1][2]
Delhi HC CJ meets CJI Sanjiv Khanna
March 17, 2025
Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay meets then CJI Sanjiv Khanna.[1][2]
Delhi High Court officials inspect incident site
March 15, 2025
Delhi High Court officials inspect the place of incident on instructions of the High Court Chief Justice.[1][2]
Fire breaks out at Justice Varma's official bungalow
March 14, 2025
Fire erupts at around 11:35 pm at Justice Yashwant Varma's official residence at 30 Tughlak Crescent, leading to discovery of semi-burnt cash stacks.[2]