SC rejects Justice Yashwant Varma’s plea against Parliamentary panel probe in cash row

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, January 16, 2026: In a big setback to Justice Yashwant Varma, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed his petition challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to admit a motion seeking his removal following reports of unaccounted cash found at his official residence in Delhi last year, and to constitute an inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

The top court’s decision came after the Allahabad High Court judge challenged the validity of a Parliamentary Committee constituted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to probe corruption charges against him.

The bench of justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma rejected Justice Varma’s contentions that a joint committee was mandatory under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

The bench had last week reserved its judgment after hearing detailed arguments on whether the procedure adopted under the 1968 law was legally valid, particularly in a situation where removal motions were moved in both Houses of Parliament on the same day.

The apex court on December 16, 2025, decided to examine the petition filed by Justice Varma assailing the action of the Lok Sabha Speaker to “unilaterally" constitute a committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act.

Justice Varma, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, argued that the constitution of the committee under Section 3(2) of the 1968 Act violated both his right to be treated and protected equally by the law.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in August 2025 announced a three-member panel to probe allegations against Justice Varma, from whose residence a large cash stash was recovered.

In March last year, stacks of cash were found at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi following a massive fire. The then Chief Justice took cognisance of the incident and transferred Justice Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court.