Justice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Impeachment Proceedings

New Delhi: Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court has resigned with immediate effect, submitting his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, bringing a sudden end to his tenure amid ongoing impeachment proceedings.

In his resignation letter, Justice Varma stated, “I do not propose to burden your august office with the reasons which have constrained me to submit this missive,” adding that it was “with deep anguish” that he was stepping down from his position. “It has been an honour to serve in this office,” he said.

A copy of the resignation letter was also sent to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

Justice Varma has been embroiled in controversy since March 14, 2025, when burnt cash was allegedly recovered from an outhouse at his official residence during his tenure as a judge of the Delhi High Court.

Following the incident, impeachment notices backed by 145 Lok Sabha members and 63 Rajya Sabha members were introduced in both Houses of Parliament in July 2025. Subsequently, the Lok Sabha Speaker constituted a three-member enquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to probe the allegations.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea filed by Justice Varma challenging the constitution of the enquiry committee. A Bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma ruled that he was not entitled to any relief.

Justice Varma had argued that the enquiry panel was formed without proper consultation between the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman, as required when impeachment notices are moved simultaneously in both Houses.

He had also challenged the findings of an in-house enquiry committee set up by the Supreme Court, which had concluded that he exercised “secret or active control” over the cash allegedly recovered from the premises. The apex court upheld the validity of the in-house procedure, stating that it was fair and did not compromise judicial independence.

Based on the in-house enquiry report, then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had recommended initiation of removal proceedings, leading to the formation of a parliamentary enquiry committee. The committee’s composition was later revised following the retirement of Madras High Court Chief Justice Maninder Mohan Shrivastava.