Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, facing an enquiry following the recovery of burnt cash from his official residence in Delhi, is learnt to have submitted his resignation to President Draupadi Murmu.
The development comes as the panel appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to look into the allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, was scheduled to begin hearings on Friday.
In his letter dated April 9, Justice Varma wrote, “While I do not propose to burden your august office with the reasons which have constrained me to submit this missive, it is with deep anguish that I hereby tender my resignation from the office of Judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, with immediate effect. It has been an honour to serve in this office.”
He has also forwarded the copy to the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant.
Justice Varma landed in controversy following allegations of cash being found at his residence during the fire on the night intervening March 14 and 15, 2025.
On March 20, 2025, the Supreme Court Collegium proposed that Justice Varma, then a judge of the High Court, be transferred to Allahabad. On March 22, the Chief Justice constituted a three-member committee to investigate allegations against the judge.
The in-house inquiry panel found credence in the allegations against Justice Varma, which were then forwarded to the President and Prime Minister for further action.
Justice Varma challenged the constitutionality of the in-house inquiry before the SC, but on August 7, 2025, a two-judge bench dismissed it, finding no procedural deviation.
Motions to impeach him were subsequently introduced in both Houses of Parliament, and the Lok Sabha Speaker appointed a panel to hold the enquiry.
