The panel report examining the Justice Yashwant Varma case has found “sufficient substance” in the allegations of misconduct against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court. The panel has recommended initiating proceedings or the removal of the Judge on account of abuse of judicial capacity. Presently, the government is setting out to collect signatures for a motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma of Allahabad High Court.
In a letter dated 22 March 2025, The Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India addressed a large pile of Rs.500/- denominations at Justice Varma’s house, and its subsequent burning the next day discovered by a witness. In reply, Justice Varma denied the allegations of having stored cash at his house by himself or his family.
The motion of impeachment requires a two-third majority of present MPs to vote in favour of the same, or an absolute majority to be in affirmation to such removal. The motion needs to be signed by at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of Rajya Sabha. The grounds of calling for such removal may be proven incapacity, corruption or misbehavior, which needs to be substantiated by the inquiry committee.
The report has stated that the office of a judge is “founded upon the trust of the citizens at large.” A judge is also a public character, and his actions determine the fabric of societal morals and mindset. Therefore it is imperative that the threshold for accountability of judges is not jeopardized with.
The constitution envisions a judiciary that is impartial and independent to begin with. Such impartiality needs to be reflected in the conduct of the judges, and not merely through the institutional mechanisms. The inconsistency and misconduct of judges chips away at the basic structure of the constitution.
In 2017, Justice Shukla was tied to a corruption scandal. The CBI lodged formal charges in 2021 but the case has been put in silo. Transparency International has found that over 45% of Indians believe the judiciary to be corrupted and unreliable. Research has consistently shown that the citizen’s faith in the judiciary seems to be on the rate towards decline.
Judging the judge is also a test to reexamine the judicial stronghold. The 36th Chief Justice of India YK Sabharwal, had made it clear that while the Court’s say on any matter is final, the judges and lawmakers are not infallible.
