Resignation of Justice Yashwant Varma

Justice Yashwant Varma, associated with a controversy involving alleged recovery of burnt currency notes from his official residence in Delhi, has resigned from his position. His resignation was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu.

Background

• Justice Varma was last posted at the Allahabad High Court.
• In his resignation letter dated April 9, he expressed deep anguish over his decision.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had set up a three-member committee in the previous year to investigate corruption charges against Justice Varma.

Allegations and Proceedings

• Justice Varma has withdrawn from ongoing impeachment proceedings.
• In a 13-page letter to the Judges Inquiry Committee, he claimed denial of basic fairness and due process.
• He alleged a reversal of the burden of proof without a foundational case.
• He criticized the proceedings for focusing solely on the existence of a storeroom and cash, leading to inferences of his culpability.
• He was not present for witness examinations nor allowed to cross-examine them.
• Out of 54 witnesses, 27 were dropped without explanation.

Incidents Leading to Resignation

• A fire incident on March 14 last year led to firefighters allegedly discovering cash at his residence.
• A video showing burning cash bundles surfaced afterward.
• The then Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, initiated an in-house probe.

Actions Taken by Judiciary

• A three-member committee of high court judges indicted Justice Varma in a report dated May 4.
• CJI Khanna asked Justice Varma to resign or face impeachment.
• His refusal to resign led to forwarding the report and his response to the President and Prime Minister for removal proceedings.
• He was returned to his parent High Court in Allahabad, and judicial work was withdrawn pending further action.