'Did you take chance…?': SC to Justice Yashwant Varma on his plea against probe into cash at his home

Justice Varma says not given a fair chance to respond by SC's in-house panel, wants CJI's recomendation for action to be declared unconstitutional

Updated on: Jul 28, 2025, 14:10:21 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Supreme Court on Monday had some direct questions for Justice Yashwant Varma's counsel as he sought quashing of a report of the SC in-house committee, which has found him guilty of misconduct over the unaccounted-for cash found during a firefight at his Delhi residence in March.

"Why did you appear before the inquiry committee… Why did you wait for the inquiry to be completed and the report be released? Did you take a chance of a favourable order there first," a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was representing Justice Varma.

Sibal, appearing for Justice Varma, submitted a judge can't be a subject of public debate, and that there is a process to be followed under Article 124 of the Constitution, PTI reported.

At this point, the bench asked the questions over why the HC judge had appeared before the inquiry committee.

The matter was posted for July 30 for the next hearing.

Justice Varma's plea challenges the probe report and the committee's very remit. It also seeks quashing of the then CJI Sanjiv Khanna's recommendation to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.

For now posted at the Allahabad high court, Justice Varma is staring at action via Parliament.

Also read | Lok Sabha will initiate proceedings to remove Justice Yashwant Varma: Kiren Rijiju

When cash was allegedly found by firefighters in a blaze at his residence on March 14, he was a judge of the Delhi HC. He was not present there, and has strongly denied any involvement, asserting that neither he nor his family members placed the cash in the storeroom.

He has also alleged that the probe committee proceeded in a pre-determined fashion and merely drew inferences. He wants that the recommendation by the CJI — asking the President and Prime Minister to start his removal process — be declared unconstitutional, ANI reported.

Also read | BJP orchestrated VP Jagdeep Dhankhar's exit over Justice Varma: Cong

He has further argued that the in-house procedure extended beyond its role of self-regulation and fact-finding: “By culminating in recommendations for removal from constitutional office, it creates a parallel, extra-constitutional mechanism."

The committee constituted on March 22 was comprised of Justices Sheel Nagu (then CJ of Punjab and Haryana high court), GS Sandhawalia (then CJ of Himachal Pradesh HC), and Anu Sivaraman (judge of Karnataka HC.

(with agency inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.