{"id":380864,"date":"2026-04-11T11:30:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T06:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=380864"},"modified":"2026-04-11T11:28:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T05:58:20","slug":"justice-yashwant-varma-withdraws-judges-inquiry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/04\/11\/justice-yashwant-varma-withdraws-judges-inquiry\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cNo Choice but to Withdraw\u201d: Justice Yashwant Varma Quits Judges Inquiry Proceedings \u2014 His Letter Explains Why"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On 9 April 2026, Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court has withdrawn from the ongoing proceedings before the Judges Inquiry Committee, alleging serious violations of due process and denial of a fair hearing in connection with an inquiry linked to the discovery of cash following a fire at his official Delhi residence in March 2025.<\/p>\n

He also submitted his resignation to the President of India, with immediate effect<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fire Incident During Vacation and Discovery of Alleged Cash<\/h3>\n

In a detailed letter addressed to the Committee, Justice Varma stated that he was on a pre-planned vacation when a fire broke out in a detached storeroom at his government bungalow in New Delhi, during which videos were recorded by emergency responders showing what appeared to be cash. He said he was unaware of the incident at the time and denied any knowledge, ownership, or control over the alleged cash. He maintained that the storeroom was unsecured, regularly accessed by staff and others, and not under his exclusive control.<\/p>\n

“I have been subjected to public vilification for over a year based on unfounded insinuations.”<\/p>\n

Criticism of Inquiry Process and Evidentiary Standards<\/h3>\n

Justice Varma strongly criticised the inquiry process, claiming it relied on presumptions rather than evidence, reversed the burden of proof, and selectively excluded witnesses and material favourable to him, including the official fire report. He said several key witnesses were dropped after cross-examination revealed contradictions or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. According to him, no prima facie case of misconduct was established under any of the three charges framed, and no evidence linked him to the alleged cash.<\/p>\n

Key Grounds Cited for Claiming Procedural Unfairness<\/h3>\n