Justice Yashwant Varma Submits Resignation As Allahabad High Court Judge Amid Lok Sabha Inquiry
Justice Yashwant Varma has resigned as a judge of the Allahabad High Court while a Lok Sabha‑mandated inquiry (and impeachment‑related proceedings) into a “cash‑at‑home” controversy continues against him.
What happened
Justice Varma submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu with immediate effect on 9 April 2026, indicating in the letter that he did so “with deep anguish” but declined to spell out detailed reasons, saying he did not wish to burden the President’s office. A copy of the resignation was also sent to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
Link with the Lok Sabha inquiry
The resignation comes at a time when a three‑member inquiry committee constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968—headed by Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar and including Bombay High Court’s Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and senior advocate B.V. Acharya—is examining allegations of corruption and misconduct arising from the discovery of unaccounted cash at Justice Varma’s residence. Earlier, the Supreme Court had reserved judgment on his challenge to the Speaker’s decision to form this inquiry committee, underscoring the constitutional and procedural delicacy of the process.
Context and implications
The episode has reignited debate over judicial accountability and the interface between impeachment‑style proceedings and voluntary resignation. By stepping down mid‑inquiry, Justice Varma effectively preempts a formal removal vote in Parliament, though the committee’s findings and the episode are likely to remain a reference point in future discussions on mechanisms to address serious allegations against higher‑judiciary members.
