Justice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Controversy

Justice Yashwant Varma has resigned from his position as a judge of the Allahabad High Court amid an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into a cash recovery controversy. He submitted his resignation to the President of India with immediate effect. In his letter, he expressed deep anguish but avoided detailing the reasons behind his decision. He also sent a copy of the resignation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

The resignation comes while a formal inquiry, initiated under the Judges Inquiry Act 1968, remains underway in the Lok Sabha. Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted a three-member committee to investigate the allegations. The committee includes Justice Arvind Kumar of the Supreme Court, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, and senior advocate Vasudeva Acharya. The inquiry followed an impeachment motion signed by 146 Members of Parliament.

The controversy began after authorities reportedly discovered a large amount of unaccounted cash at Justice Varma’s official residence in March 2025. The discovery occurred during a firefighting operation at the premises when he served as a judge of the Delhi High Court. Subsequently, then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna ordered an internal probe. A judicial panel later submitted a report indicating prima facie culpability.

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Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant steps down as Lok Sabha probe

Following the findings, authorities transferred Justice Varma back to the Allahabad High Court and withdrew his judicial duties. The Supreme Court also made inquiry-related documents public to ensure transparency. Meanwhile, Justice Varma challenged both the internal probe and the parliamentary process. However, the Supreme Court dismissed his petitions.

The resignation now shifts the focus to the outcome of the ongoing parliamentary inquiry. It also raises broader questions about judicial accountability and institutional integrity within India’s legal system.

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