Justice Yashwant Varma Challenges Panel Report in Supreme Court

Swift Summary:

• Justice Yashwant varma, a sitting High Court judge, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge an in-house inquiry committee’s report that alleged unaccounted cash was found in his residential storeroom after a fire on March 14-15.
• Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna (retired) forwarded the report and recommended Justice Varma’s removal to the President and Prime Minister shortly before retirement.
• The may 3 report by a three-judge panel concluded that stacks of half-burnt currency notes were found under “covert or active control” of Justice Varma or his family members. It rejected claims of conspiracy and deemed planting cash improbable within such high-security premises.
• Justice Varma contended that the committee lacked legal basis,denied him a fair hearing,failed to address key questions about the fire and source of cash,and violated principles of natural justice. He argued against Chief Justice Khanna’s swift advice for removal without personal interaction with him.
• The case is yet to be listed in court but is filed days ahead of Parliament’s Monsoon session where a removal motion might potentially be introduced.

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Indian Opinion Analysis:

Justice Yashwant Varma’s petition raises critical questions about procedural fairness and constitutional safeguards for sitting judges. His contention regarding lack of statutory authority behind the inquiry committee could influence broader debates on accountability frameworks for judiciary members.While transparency is necessary in addressing allegations involving public officials,ensuring due process remains paramount.

The timing-days before parliament’s Monsoon session-could add political weight to discussions surrounding judicial removals as this case forms an unprecedented legal challenge from a sitting High Court judge. If unresolved quickly by courts, it may set precedents not only for administrative protocols but also individual rights within constitutional offices.