Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma, has tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, effectively halting ongoing impeachment proceedings initiated against him under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
In his resignation letter dated April 9, Varma wrote: “While I do not propose to burden your august office with the reasons that have constrained me to submit this missive, it is with deep anguish that I hereby tender my resignation… with immediate effect.” He added, “It has been an honour to serve in this office.”
His resignation brings to a close a rare and closely watched removal process that had been set in motion after a motion was admitted in the Lok Sabha in August 2025. A three-member inquiry committee had been constituted by Speaker Om Birla to investigate the charges.
Under the statutory framework, proceedings under the Judges (Inquiry) Act cease once a judge demits office, rendering the continuation of the inquiry untenable.
Also read: SC rejects Justice Varma's plea against impeachment proceedings
Varma had been at the centre of controversy since March 2025, when a fire at his official residence in Delhi led to the reported recovery of burnt piles of unaccounted cash. At the time, he was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court.
A subsequent in-house inquiry conducted by the Supreme Court found his explanation unsatisfactory, prompting then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to recommend action.
This led to the initiation of removal proceedings in Parliament in July 2025, marking a rare instance of impeachment proceedings against a sitting High Court judge. The process, however, had already faced procedural delays, including the reconstitution of the inquiry panel after one of its members retired earlier this year.
With Varma stepping down, the proceedings now stand terminated, bringing an abrupt end to a legally complex and politically sensitive case.
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