CJI Asks Justice Yashwant Varma To Resign After Cash Allegations; Judge Refuses, Report Sent To PM And President

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has recommended the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma following an internal inquiry that found merit in allegations of cash being found at the judge’s residence, the Indian Express reported. CJI Khanna had reportedly asked Justice Varma to resign, but Varma declined.

In response, the CJI has now forwarded the report of the three-member judicial inquiry committee, along with Justice Varma’s written reply, to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move is part of the formal process to initiate Justice Varma’s removal.

According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the CJI, “in terms of the In-House Procedure,” sent the inquiry committee’s report dated 3 May 2025, along with Justice Varma’s response dated 6 May, to both the President and the Prime Minister.

The inquiry panel, constituted on 22 March, was tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire incident at Justice Varma’s residence and subsequent reports of cash recovery.

Justice Varma, in his response to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, denied any wrongdoing and claimed that no cash was ever shown to his staff during or after the incident.

After reviewing the panel’s findings, CJI Khanna formally shared the report with Justice Varma on 4 May and offered him the option to step down. With the judge refusing to resign, the matter has now been escalated to the constitutional authorities for further action.