Justice Yashwant Varma, a judge of the Allahabad High Court, has tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, citing personal reasons but effectively stepping down to avoid potential removal through parliamentary impeachment proceedings.
In a formal letter dated April 9, 2026, addressed to the President, Justice Varma wrote: “While I do not propose to burden your august office with the reasons which have constrained me to submit this missive, it is with deep anguish that I hereby tender my resignation from the office of Judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, with immediate effect.” He described it as an honour to have served in the office.
The resignation comes after a prolonged controversy that began in March 2025 when firefighters responding to a blaze at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi discovered large quantities of burnt and partially burnt ₹500 currency notes. The incident triggered an in-house inquiry by a Supreme Court-appointed three-judge committee, which found prima facie evidence of misconduct and concluded that Justice Varma and his family had “covert or active control” over the storeroom where the cash was found.
Following the in-house probe’s findings, Justice Varma was transferred from the Delhi High Court back to the Allahabad High Court in April 2025 and relieved of judicial work. He took oath as a judge of the Allahabad High Court on April 5, 2025. When he refused to resign despite recommendations from the Chief Justice of India, motions for his removal were moved in both Houses of Parliament. A parliamentary inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, was constituted, and its proceedings continued into 2026, with extensions granted as recently as February.
The Supreme Court had dismissed Justice Varma’s challenges to the constitutionality of the inquiry panel and the impeachment process, clearing the way for potential removal. Resignation at this stage allows him to retain his pension and other retirement benefits, which would likely have been forfeited in the event of parliamentary removal.
