Justice Varma's Removal: Process Set to Begin, Lok Sabha Speaker to Appoint Probe Panel

Justice Varma’s Impeachment Process to Begin; Lok Sabha Speaker to Announce Probe Committee Soon

The removal process of Justice Yashwant Varma is expected to formally begin in the Lok Sabha, with Speaker Om Birla likely to soon announce the formation of a statutory committee to investigate the charges against him. Sources confirm that this move follows receipt of a removal notice signed by 145 Lok Sabha MPs.

On Wednesday, Speaker Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh met with Secretaries General of both Houses to discuss procedural formalities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah later joined the meeting. The discussions coincided with the Supreme Court's statement that it will constitute a bench to hear Justice Varma’s petition challenging the legal validity of an earlier in-house inquiry that found unaccounted cash at his official residence.

Justice Varma's case comes amid the political stir created by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation earlier this week. As reported, Dhankhar had acknowledged a separate Opposition notice in the Rajya Sabha regarding Justice Varma, leading to confusion within the government, since the Lok Sabha had already received a similar notice earlier that same day.

A senior BJP MP involved in the notice submission confirmed, “The Speaker told us he would form a committee as per the law.” Former Lok Sabha Secretary PDT Achary clarified that the Speaker is authorized to admit the motion and set up a statutory committee without needing House approval at this stage.

While Dhankhar mentioned the Opposition’s notice on record in the Rajya Sabha, it remains unclear whether he formally admitted it—an essential step for jointly forming a probe panel under the Judges (Inquiry) Act.

As per legal procedure, a statutory committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a High Court judge, and a distinguished jurist will be constituted to examine the charges. The committee’s report will be submitted to the Lok Sabha Speaker. If it finds Justice Varma guilty, a motion will be put to vote in the Lok Sabha, requiring a two-thirds majority. The same process would then follow in the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of Justice Varma’s plea to quash the in-house inquiry report and the May 8 recommendation by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, who urged Parliament to initiate impeachment proceedings.

The inquiry panel, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, conducted a 10-day investigation, interviewed 55 witnesses, and examined the March 14 fire incident at Justice Varma’s Delhi residence. Justice Varma, formerly of the Delhi High Court, now serves in the Allahabad High Court.

Acting on the panel's findings, CJI Khanna wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommending the initiation of impeachment proceedings against the judge.