In a significant development that has drawn national attention, Justice Yashwant Varma has resigned from his position as a judge of the Allahabad High Court, submitting his resignation to Droupadi Murmu on April 10, 2026.
The resignation comes in the midst of serious allegations of corruption, following the recovery of partially burnt currency notes from his Delhi residence after a fire incident last month.
What Led to the Controversy
The controversy traces back to March 14, when a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi. At the time, the judge and his wife were reportedly travelling in Madhya Pradesh, while only his daughter and elderly mother were present at the house.
During firefighting operations, responders allegedly discovered large quantities of cash, some of which had been burnt. Soon after, a video surfaced showing bundles of currency notes engulfed in flames—triggering widespread speculation and raising serious questions about the source of the money.
Justice Varma, however, firmly denied any wrongdoing, describing the incident as a “conspiracy” aimed at framing him.
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Resignation Letter: A Brief but Emotional Note
In his letter addressed to the President, Justice Varma refrained from detailing the reasons behind his decision but expressed anguish over the circumstances.
“It is with deep anguish that I hereby tender my resignation… It has been an honour to serve,” he wrote, choosing not to elaborate further.
Judicial and Parliamentary Action
The matter quickly escalated within the judiciary. Justice Sanjiv Khanna initiated an in-house inquiry and constituted a three-member panel to investigate the allegations.
The panel included:
- Justice Sheel Nagu
- Justice GS Sandhawalia
- Justice Anu Sivaraman
The committee began its probe on March 25 and submitted its findings in early May. Following the report, the Chief Justice of India reportedly asked Justice Varma to step down voluntarily or face impeachment proceedings.
When Justice Varma declined, the matter was escalated to the executive, with the report forwarded to the President and the Prime Minister for further action.
Parallel Impeachment Proceedings
Separately, impeachment proceedings had already been set in motion in Parliament. In August 2025, Om Birlaconstituted a Judges Inquiry Committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
The panel currently includes:
- Justice Aravind Kumar
- Justice Shree Chandrashekhar
- Senior Advocate B. Vasudeva Acharya
Notably, the process received judicial backing earlier this year when the Supreme Court, in a bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, refused to interfere with the inquiry, stating that due process under the law was being followed.
Current Status and What Lies Ahead
With his resignation now submitted, the immediate question is whether the impeachment process will continue. Legal experts note that resignation does not automatically halt inquiry proceedings, especially when questions of misconduct and accountability remain unresolved.
Justice Varma had already been relieved of judicial duties earlier and transferred back to his parent court in Allahabad amid the controversy.
The case continues to raise broader concerns about transparency and accountability within the judiciary—an institution that rests heavily on public trust.
Sources
- Supreme Court proceedings and orders (2026)
- Reports from Press Trust of India (PTI)
- Coverage by The Hindu, Indian Express, and NDTV
- Parliamentary records under Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968