A three-member inquiry committee constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker has found the charges “proved” against Justice Yashwant Varma over the discovery of cash at his official residence, holding that his explanations were “evasive and unsatisfactory”.
“Evasive and unsatisfactory“
Justice Varma has since resigned, but his resignation has not yet been notified by the Union Law Ministry. His name continues to appear on the Allahabad High Court website, although the resignation of a judge of the higher judiciary is deemed to be accepted. If the resignation is taken as accepted, the removal proceedings against Justice Varma would virtually become infructuous.
The committee said Justice Varma’s explanation did not demonstrate the “candour, transparency and institutional responsibility” expected of a judge in such circumstances. “It remained evasive and unsatisfactory when tested against the evidence of independent official witnesses and corroborative material,” the committee said. The committee’s report, tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, said Justice Varma had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the presence, source or ownership of the cash found in the storeroom of his official residence.
