A file image of Justice Yashwant Varma. Photo: www.allahabadhighcourt.in via PTI.
The Judges Inquiry Committee investigating allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma — against whom impeachment proceedings were initiated over the discovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence during a fire — submitted its report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday (May 18, 2026).
The report, which was presented in accordance with statutory requirements under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, will be laid before both Houses of Parliament in due course, officials said.
The three-member inquiry committee was constituted by the Speaker on August 12, 2025.
During a fire that broke out in the official residence of Justice Varma on the night of March 14, 2025, firefighters discovered massive amounts of burnt currency inside a storeroom in the Delhi bungalow.
An in-house committee constituted by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna concluded that Justice Varma had “active or tacit control” over the specific storeroom where the cash was hidden.
In July 2025, over 200 MPs signed a motion to impeach the judge.
In August last year, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla then constituted a three-member Judges Inquiry Committee to investigate the charges.
However, facing the prospect of being removed by Parliament, Justice Varma recently resigned as a judge of the Allahabad High Court, rendering the impeachment proceedings against him infructuous.
Published – May 19, 2026 12:52 am IST
