Lok Sabha Speaker Engages Two Lawyers for Advice on Impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma
- Palak Singla
- 23 September 2025
Introduction
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has taken a major step toward initiating impeachment proceedings against Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma. This follows the discovery of a large amount of unaccounted cash—some of it burnt—at Varma’s official residence in Delhi after a fire in March 2025. The incident triggered suspicions of misconduct, leading 146 Members of Parliament (MPs), including Ravi Shankar Prasad and Rahul Gandhi, to support a motion to investigate the matter.
Background
The Fire Incident: In March 2025, a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s Delhi residence, revealing stashes of cash, raising serious questions about corruption.
Investigation So Far: A judicial probe team questioned 55 witnesses and reportedly found evidence linking Varma to the seized cash.
Supreme Court’s Role: The Supreme Court supported the inquiry, while a former Chief Justice advised Varma to resign or face impeachment.
Legal Process of Impeachment
Constitutional Framework: Under Articles 124(4) and 124(5) of the Constitution, judges of the High Court and Supreme Court can be removed only through impeachment for proven misbehavior or incapacity.
Committee Formation: A special inquiry committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and a senior lawyer was set up to assess the charges.
Recent Development – Hiring of Lawyers
On 19 September 2025, Speaker Om Birla appointed Rohan Singh and Sameeksha Dua as legal advisors to assist the inquiry committee. Their role will be to ensure the proceedings strictly follow constitutional procedure and maintain judicial fairness.
Why This Matters
Rare Event: Judicial impeachment is extremely rare in India, making this case highly significant.
Bipartisan Concern: Both ruling and opposition MPs are united in demanding accountability, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations.
Judicial Integrity: The outcome will have lasting implications for public trust in the judiciary.
Constitutional Test: This case will test the robustness of India’s constitutional mechanisms for checks and balances.
Conclusion
The engagement of legal experts by the Lok Sabha Speaker signals Parliament’s commitment to a thorough and constitutionally sound investigation into Justice Yashwant Varma. The case has already drawn national attention, not only because of the dramatic discovery of cash but also because it underscores the rare and solemn process of impeachment. The final decision will play a critical role in shaping the perception of judicial accountability and integrity in India.
