Justice Varma Faces Impeachment as 145 Lok Sabha MPs Sign Motion Over Cash Row

In a historic move, 145 Lok Sabha MPsLok Sabha MPsLok Sabha MPs from across party lines have signed an impeachment notice against Justice Yashwant Varma, following the alleged recovery of burnt cash from his official residence in Delhi earlier this year. The notice, submitted to Speaker Om Birla, marks the beginning of what could become India’s first successful judicial impeachment.

The motion, backed by leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Anurag Thakur, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Supriya Sule, and K.C. Venugopal, has received support from a wide spectrum of parties such as the BJP, Congress, TDP, JD(U), JD(S), Janasena, AGP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), NCP, and CPI(M).

Filed under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution, the notice calls for a parliamentary investigation into Justice Varma’s alleged misconduct. Article 217 allows for the removal of a High Court judge only on proven grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity, requiring a two-thirds majority in both Houses. Article 124(4) outlines the process for removal, which must be initiated by Parliament and approved by the President.