CJI seeks Justice Varma’s resignation, he refuses; SC shares inquiry report, judge reply with PM, President

Following a three-member panel’s conclusion that the claims of cash being discovered at Justice Yashwant Varma’s home were credible, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is reported to have requested his resignation. Justice Varma, nevertheless, declined.

The CJI has now sent the report from the three-judge inquiry panel, along with Justice Varma’s response, to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is reported to have advised the President to begin the process of removing Justice Varma. He is reported to have suggested to the President to start the procedure for removing Justice Varma.

An official release Thursday said that the CJI, “in terms of the In-House Procedure, has written to” both President and PM “enclosing therewith copy of the 3 member commitee report dated 03.05.2025 along with the letter/response dated 06.05.2025 received from Mr Justice Yashwant Varma”

The CJI established the committee, which includes Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana HC, Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh HC, and Justices Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the Karnataka HC, on March 22, to investigate allegations of cash recovery following a fire that occurred at the home of a former Delhi HC judge. After the committee provided its report, CJI Khanna contacted Justice Varma on May 4, sending a copy of the report. The CJI is said to have introduced the report by offering Justice Verma the choice to submit his resignation.