CJI Forwards Justice Varma Indictment Report to President and PM

On Thursday, India's Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna submitted the Supreme Court's internal report on the charge of unaccounted money found at Justice Yashwant Varma's home to the President and Prime Minister of India.

In accordance with the In-House Procedure, the Chief Justice of India has written to Hon'ble President of India and Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, accompanying the report dated 03.05.2025 of the three-member committee as well as the letter/response dated 06.05.2025 issued by Justice Yashwant Varma, stated a statement released by the Supreme Court.

Following investigation by its own inquiry panel, Justice Varma was held guilty and subsequently asked his resignation by the CJI, reported an organization.

A source told Bar and Bench, "The report has held him guilty. As per the procedure, the CJI has requested him to resign. If he does so, the issue is settled. If not, the report will be referred to the President with a suggestion for impeachment."

The row started when a fire had erupted at Justice Varma's house in Delhi on March 14. Firefighters reportedly discovered large sums of money during the fire. Justice Varma and his wife were away in Madhya Pradesh at the time, and only his daughter and elderly mother were home. A clip later emerged showing cash bundles ablaze in the fire, generating allegations of corruption.

Justice Varma, nevertheless, has rejected these allegations, terming them a conspiracy to falsely incriminate him. In reply, the CJI directed a formal investigation by an in-house panel.

The panel, which was nominated by CJI Khanna on March 22, consisted of Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia, and Karnataka High Court Justice Anu Sivaraman. They started their probe on March 25 and presented their report on May 4.

After the allegations, Justice Varma was shifted back to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court, and administered the oath of office. But in accordance with the direction of the CJI, he was not entrusted with any judicial work. His transfer to the Allahabad High Court had already resulted in a strike called by the local Bar Association.