Will the Supreme Court Hear Justice Varma’s Plea Amid Impeachment Efforts?
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Synopsis
As Justice Yashwant Varma battles impeachment proceedings, the Supreme Court prepares to hear his plea against an indictment by an in-house committee. The controversy surrounding the cash-discovery incident has left the judicial community in shock. Will Justice Varma's arguments sway the court?
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court will hear Justice Varma's plea on July 28.
- 145 MPs have submitted an impeachment notice against him.
- The in-house committee found evidence supporting allegations of misconduct.
- Justice Varma argues he was denied a fair hearing.
- The case has significant implications for judicial accountability.
New Delhi, June 26 (NationPress) The Supreme Court is set to examine a plea on Monday from Justice Yashwant Varma, who is contesting his indictment by a three-member in-house committee regarding the cash-discovery incident.
This hearing comes after 145 MPs from both the ruling and opposition parties submitted an impeachment notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on July 21, requesting the removal of Justice Varma.
According to the causelist on the apex court's website, a Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih will address the matter on July 28.
Justice Varma's writ petition aims to nullify the communication sent by former CJI Sanjiv Khanna to the President and the then Prime Minister, seeking action against him.
The petition alleges that the in-house committee acted in a “pre-determined manner” and did not allow Justice Varma a fair chance to defend himself.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court hinted that the Bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai would likely not consider Justice Varma’s plea for urgent hearing after senior advocate Kapil Sibal raised the matter.
“I believe it may not be appropriate for me to take up that matter as I was involved in the discussion,” stated CJI Gavai, but assured Sibal that a dedicated Bench would be formed to hear the case.
Justice Varma has faced significant scrutiny since the discovery of burnt cash on March 14 in an outhouse at his official residence while serving in the Delhi High Court.
The cash-discovery controversy, which sent ripples through the judicial community, led to Justice Varma's return to the Allahabad High Court and the establishment of an in-house probe into the allegations.
The committee's findings indicated that both direct and electronic evidence confirmed that the storeroom was under the covert or active control of Justice Varma and his family.
Through compelling inferential evidence, the panel asserted that the burnt cash was taken from the storeroom in the early hours of March 15.
In its conclusion, the three-member inquiry committee, which included Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, CJ G.S. Sandhawalia of the Himachal Pradesh HC, and Karnataka HC’s Justice Anu Sivaraman, deemed the allegations serious enough to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma.
The committee opined that Justice Varma’s misconduct was not only substantiated but also significant enough to justify his removal under Article 124(4) of the Constitution.
Point of View
The situation surrounding Justice Varma reflects the complexities of accountability within the judiciary. The ongoing impeachment proceedings and the Supreme Court's involvement highlight the need for transparency and fairness in such serious matters. As the legal community watches closely, it is crucial that justice prevails in this case.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cash-discovery incident involving Justice Varma?
The cash-discovery incident refers to the finding of burnt cash in an outhouse of Justice Varma's official residence, which raised serious allegations against him.
What are the implications of the impeachment notice?
The impeachment notice submitted by 145 MPs indicates significant political and legal repercussions for Justice Varma, potentially leading to his removal from office.
Who are the judges involved in this case?
The case will be heard by a Bench including Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih.
What does Justice Varma's petition seek?
Justice Varma's petition seeks to quash the communication that initiated action against him and argues that he was not given a fair chance to defend himself.
What is Article 124(4) of the Constitution?
Article 124(4) of the Constitution provides the grounds for the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge, focusing on proven misconduct.
