Bringing Motion to Remove Justice Varma Is MPs’ Prerogative, Says Law Minister Meghwal
New Delhi: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Friday clarified that initiating an impeachment motion in Parliament against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court is solely the prerogative of Members of Parliament (MPs), and the government has no role in the process.
In an interview with a news agency, Meghwal noted that an in-house committee formed by then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna had already submitted its report on the allegations against Justice Varma.
“If Justice Varma is not satisfied with the findings and chooses to approach the Supreme Court or any high court, it is entirely his decision,” Meghwal said. He reiterated that Parliament holds the constitutional power to remove a judge of the Supreme Court or a high court through an impeachment process.
He explained that such a motion requires the backing of at least 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha or 50 in the Rajya Sabha. “This is entirely a matter for the MPs. Some members have taken initiatives, but the government is not involved,” he added.
Justice Varma has meanwhile approached the Supreme Court seeking to invalidate the in-house panel’s report, which reportedly found him guilty of misconduct in connection with the discovery of cash at his official residence.
He has also challenged the May 8 recommendation by then CJI Khanna calling for his removal.
Reports indicate that the government is aiming to bring a motion for Justice Varma’s removal in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on July 21. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has stated that his party’s MPs will also support the motion.
The 25-page report by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, published on the Supreme Court’s website, includes two handwritten notes in Hindi. These mention that following a fire on March 14 at the storeroom of Justice Varma’s Lutyens’ Delhi residence, four to five half-burnt sacks containing currency notes were discovered. The inquiry panel concluded that the fire appeared to have been caused by a short circuit.
In his response, Justice Varma—who was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court at the time—strongly denied the allegations, asserting that neither he nor any family member had stored cash in the storeroom.
