Justice Yashwant Varma resigns amid Lok Sabha inquiry over cash-at-home row

Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma has resigned. This development comes amid an inquiry into the recovery of a huge stash of cash from his home last year, as reported by NDTV. In particular, the development took place on the day the judge was scheduled to start his defense against accusations of corruption.

"It is with deep anguish that I tender my resignation from the office of Judge of the Hon'ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad with immediate effect," Justice Verma was quoted as saying by NDTV. The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, has received a copy of the resignation letter, it was learnt.

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Last July, the Parliament began the impeachment process to remove him, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla established a three-person commission to look into the allegations.

Justice Verma steps down

In his April 9 letter to President Droupadi Murmu, a copy of which was acquired by NDTV, Justice Varma said he did not want to “burden” the President’s “august office” with the reasons behind his decision to step down.

In the letter, he wrote, “While I do not propose to burden your august office with the reasons that have constrained me to submit this missive, it is with deep anguish that I hereby tender my resignation from the office of Judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, with immediate effect. It has been an honor to serve in this office.”

Impeachment saga ends, not benefits

The judge came under scrutiny after a large sum of cash was reportedly found at Justice Varma’s official residence in Lutyens’ Delhi on March 14, 2025, when he was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court. According to the allegations, the cash was reportedly discovered in a storeroom near the servants’ quarters. Justice Varma denied that he or any member of his family had ever kept cash in the storeroom.

Following the controversy, the Supreme Court withdrew judicial work from Justice Varma at the Delhi High Court. He was later transferred to his parent Allahabad High Court, with instructions to its Chief Justice not to assign him any judicial responsibilities.

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A source in the Lok Sabha Secretariat said his resignation would now bring the impeachment process to an end. It would also allow him to retain pension and other retirement benefits available to a High Court judge under the rules. Had Parliament impeached him, he would have lost eligibility for those benefits.