Justice Yashwant Varma from the Allahabad High Court has resigned from his post, bringing an abrupt end to ongoing impeachment proceedings against him in the Parliament following allegations linked to the recovery of burnt cash from his official residence last year.
The resignation, submitted to president Droupadi Murmu on 9 April 2026, effectively renders the removal proceedings 'infructuous', as per senior officials. A copy of the letter is also marked to chief justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant.
However, according to senior counsel Indira Jaising, after the resignation, justice Varma lost the immunity and a prosecution is possible.
In his communication, the 57-year-old judge says he is stepping down 'with deep anguish' and chose not to elaborate on the reasons behind his decision, adding that it had been an honour to serve in the office.
Justice Varma has been at the centre of controversy since 14 March 2025, when a fire broke out at his official residence in Lutyens’ Delhi during his tenure as a Delhi High Court judge. Fire personnel responding to the incident reportedly discovered a large quantity of burnt currency notes at the premises.
The incident sparked multiple inquiries and eventually prompted calls for his removal.
In July 2025, notices seeking impeachment were moved in both Houses of Parliament, backed by over 200 members of Parliament (MPs) across the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Subsequently, the Lok Sabha speaker constituted a three-member enquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to examine the charges.
With the resignation now submitted, the impeachment process—often described as a rare and rigorous constitutional mechanism—cannot proceed further. Legal experts note that resignation is typically the only way for a judge to avoid removal by Parliament once such proceedings are underway.
However, the development has sparked debate over accountability. The All India Bar Association has urged president Murmu to consider the implications of accepting the resignation, arguing that it could undermine the constitutional process and allow the judge to evade formal findings in the impeachment proceedings.
The case has reignited concerns about the effectiveness of judicial accountability mechanisms, particularly in situations where resignation pre-empts the conclusion of formal inquiries.
While the resignation closes the immediate chapter on the impeachment process, questions remain over whether institutional mechanisms adequately ensure accountability in cases involving serious allegations against members of the higher judiciary.
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