New Delhi: Justice Yashwant Varma has stepped down from his position as a judge of the Allahabad High Court, bringing a sudden end to the impeachment process initiated against him following a major cash recovery controversy. His resignation has been submitted to President Droupadi Murmu and takes immediate effect.
In his resignation letter, Justice Varma expressed deep distress over the circumstances that led to his decision. While he chose not to elaborate on the reasons, he conveyed that the move was made with considerable anguish. With his resignation, the ongoing parliamentary process aimed at his removal is expected to be discontinued.
The controversy dates back to March 14, 2025, when a large quantity of cash was reportedly discovered at his official residence in Lutyens’ Delhi. At the time, he was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court. The cash, some of which was allegedly burnt, was found in a storeroom located near the servants’ quarters. Justice Varma and his wife were not present in Delhi during the incident, as they were in Bhopal.
Following the discovery, an internal inquiry was initiated by the Supreme Court through a three judge committee. The panel later submitted its findings to then Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna. As the matter progressed, judicial responsibilities were withdrawn from Justice Varma, and he was transferred back to his parent Allahabad High Court with instructions that no judicial work be assigned to him.
In a rare step, visuals and photographs related to the recovered cash were also made public. Justice Varma consistently denied any connection to the money, stating that neither he nor his family had stored cash in the room and that the space was accessible to multiple individuals.
His resignation marks a significant development, closing a controversial chapter in the judiciary.
