 "Justice Yashwant Varma has been a Delhi High Court judge since October 2021. Image Courtesy: X")
The Union government may bring an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament over a cash seizure from his Delhi residence in March, Hindustan Times reported citing sources.
To move forward, the motion needs support from at least 50 Rajya Sabha members and 100 Lok Sabha members. For it to pass, a two-thirds majority in both Houses is required, meaning it will need backing from multiple parties.
If the motion succeeds, Justice Varma could become the first constitutional court judge to be removed. The impeachment process is likely to be initiated by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
Earlier on May 3, a three-member panel appointed by the Supreme Court found the claims true that bundles of cash were found at the judge’s official home after a fire broke out there on March 14.
The panel was appointed by the Chief Justice of India on March 22. It includes Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court; Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court; and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of Karnataka High Court. The panel took statements from many witnesses.
The Monsoon Session is also expected to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.