Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reconstituted the three-member panel investigating Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.

The inquiry relates to unaccounted burnt cash found at his official residence in Delhi in March 2025. The original panel included Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, who is retiring, prompting the reconstitution.

The new committee, effective March 6, 2026, includes Justice Arind Kumar (Supreme Court), Justice Shree Chandrashekhar (Bombay High Court), and Senior Advocate B.V. Acharya.

The panel will continue examining evidence under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, before possible impeachment.

The Court noted that Additional Solicitor General Raja Thakare has been appointed to assist the three-member Inquiry Committee constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, in the impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.

It observed that the appointment was made pursuant to a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice. 

The Committee is examining allegations arising from the recovery of unaccounted cash at Justice Varma’s official residence.

The Court earlier held that the Speaker’s constitution of the Committee was valid and did not violate statutory procedure.

The Supreme Court of India has rejected a plea filed by Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to constitute a three-member inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act in connection with impeachment proceedings against him.

The plea arose after allegations of corruption surfaced following a fire at Justice Varma’s residence in March 2025, which allegedly led to the recovery of unaccounted cash.

Justice Varma had challenged the impeachment process on procedural grounds, contending that the inquiry committee was constituted without the consultation contemplated when motions are raised in both Houses.

The Court declined to interfere, allowing the inquiry to proceed.

Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court has informed a parliamentary committee that he was not present at his official residence when the fire incident occurred and that no cash was recovered from the premises.

The submission forms part of his written response to the committee examining the impeachment motion initiated after a fire at his residence on March 14, 2025. 

Justice Varma stated that he was not the first responder, and asserted that securing the scene was the responsibility of the authorities who arrived first. He also added that any lapse after the fire cannot be attributed to him.

The impeachment process continues, while the Supreme Court has reserved judgment on his challenge to the committee’s constitution.

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Secretariats of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on a plea filed by Allahabad High Court Justice Yashwant Varma challenging the constitution of an impeachment committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

The Court is examining whether the Lok Sabha Speaker acted unilaterally in constituting the three-member committee without awaiting admission of a parallel impeachment motion in the Rajya Sabha, as required under Section 3 of the Act.

The proceedings follow an in-house inquiry recommending Justice Varma’s removal after allegations of unaccounted cash at his residence.

The Court expressed prima facie concern over compliance with statutory procedure.

The Supreme Court appointed Advocate Karan Umesh Salvi as a consultant to assist the committee investigating allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma.

The inquiry follows the discovery of cash at Justice Varma’s official residence and the Speaker’s move on August 12 to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.

Salvi will offer legal expertise and support to ensure a fair and comprehensive investigation. Earlier, the Court had also appointed Advocates Rohan Singh and Sameeksha Dua to assist the committee in its probe.

[In Re: Inquiry Committee re Justice Yashwant Varma]

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, has formally engaged advocates Rohan Singh and Sameeksha Dua as consultants in the committee formed to initiate the process of removal of Justice Yashwant Varma from judgeship.

An in-house committee formed by the Supreme Court had earlier charged the judge and recommended his removal, following which, the Central Government has moved a motion to impeach the judge.

The move comes in light of the discovery of cash at the judge's official residence when he was posted in the Delhi High Court.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has set up a three-member committee to examine allegations against Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

The move follows a motion signed by 146 MPs seeking his removal after unaccounted cash was found at his residence during a post-fire inspection.

The panel comprises Justice Aravind Kumar (Supreme Court), Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava (Chief Justice, Madras High Court), and Senior Advocate B. Vasudeva Acharya.

A judge cannot be removed without impeachment proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The impeachment motion will remain pending until the committee submits its report to the Speaker.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the writ petition filed by Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, who challenged the in‑house committee’s report and the then CJI Sanjiv Khanna’s recommendation for his removal from office over the “cash-at‑home” controversy.

The court ruled the petition was non‑maintainable, especially given that Justice Varma had willingly participated in the in‑house inquiry.

Earlier, the top court had reserved its order on Justice Varma's petition on July 30. 

The Bench reaffirmed that the in‑house process is legally valid under the Judges (Protection) Act and not unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court reserved its verdict in Justice Yashwant Varma’s challenge to the recommendation made by former CJI Sanjiv Khanna to impeach him over the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash.

A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih remarked that Varma’s belated plea "does not inspire confidence" and hinted that the issue may ultimately fall within Parliament’s domain.

Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi argued that the in-house committee’s findings lacked procedural fairness and cannot form the basis for impeachment.

The Court stressed that its focus will remain on constitutional questions, not the merits of the committee’s report.

Justice Yashwant Varma is challenging an in-house judicial committee's report indicting him over unaccounted cash found at his residence after a fire. He argues the inquiry lacked a formal complaint, violated natural justice, and subjected him to a media trial.

The Supreme Court questioned why he participated in the inquiry if he believed it was unconstitutional. Varma claims he cooperated to clarify the facts, not to waive objections.

He also contests the former CJI's recommendation for his removal, calling it unconstitutional. 

The Court noted procedural flaws in his petition and has asked for a revised filing with clear legal points and listed the matter for July 30. 

The Supreme Court will hear on July 28 the writ petition filed by Justice Yashwant Varma challenging an in-house inquiry report that indicted him after bundles of cash were found at his official residence during a fire incident on March 14.

He alleged the committee denied him a fair hearing and reversed the burden of proof.

The report, compiled with statements of 55 witnesses and electronic evidence, was submitted to the CJI and forwarded to the President and PM for impeachment proceedings.

A parliamentary motion is already underway. Top lawyers had sought urgent listing of the plea.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai recused himself from hearing Justice Yashwant Varma’s challenge to an in-house committee report indicting him over unaccounted cash found after a fire at his official residence.

Justice Varma argues the in-house process lacks legal safeguards under the Judges (Inquiry) Act and violates natural justice. He alleges media trial, absence of formal complaint, and pressure to resign.

The cash’s source remains unclear. CJI Gavai cited his past involvement in the matter as a part of the committee. Varma’s judicial duties have been suspended, and the Centre is reportedly considering initiating impeachment proceedings.

Impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma commenced after 145 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha MPs submitted notices to Speaker Om Birla and Vice‑President Jagdeep Dhankhar under Articles 124 and 217.

The move follows the recovery of unaccounted cash at his official residence during a fire incident. A judicial in-house inquiry found his conduct unnatural and flagged adverse inferences after examining 55 witnesses and electronic evidence.

The committee concluded the cash was under his or his family’s control, and his denial lacked credibility.

His appeal now moves to a committee constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act. A Parliamentary vote will follow based on the committee’s report.