NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Friday said that an impeachment motion against Allahabad high court judge Yashwant Varma will be brought in the upcoming Parliament session and that the government is out of picture.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Meghwal stated that an in-house committee, constituted by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, has completed its investigation and submitted its findings concerning Justice Varma.
“"If Justice Yashwant Varma is approaching the Supreme Court or High Court about it, that's his prerogative. The second issue, raised by MPs, is also not related to the government. In fact, neither issue involves the government directly,” Meghwal said, adding that the power to remove a judge of the Supreme Court or a high court rests with Parliament.
An impeachment motion requires signatures from at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members to be initiated. Meghwal acknowledged that while some MPs have taken steps in this direction, the government has remained uninvolved.
"The Constitution allows Parliament to bring a motion for removal, 100 or more MPs must sign in the Lok Sabha, and 50 or more in the Rajya Sabha. So, this is entirely a matter for the MPs, not the government," said the law minister.
Justice Varma has approached the Supreme Court, seeking to quash the in-house panel’s report, which found him guilty of misconduct in connection with a cash discovery incident. He is also challenging the May 8 recommendation by then-CJI Khanna for his removal.
The government intends to table the removal motion during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on July 21. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has signalled the party’s readiness to support the motion. "Parliament has right to remove SC or HC judge," also said Meghwal
The 25-page report submitted by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya, now available on the Supreme Court’s website, details the discovery of sacks containing partially burnt currency. The sacks were reportedly found after a fire—caused by an electrical fault—was extinguished at Justice Varma’s official residence in Lutyens' Delhi on March 14, when he was serving at the Delhi High Court.
Justice Varma has denied the allegations, asserting that neither he nor any family member had stored currency in the storeroom.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Meghwal stated that an in-house committee, constituted by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, has completed its investigation and submitted its findings concerning Justice Varma.
“"If Justice Yashwant Varma is approaching the Supreme Court or High Court about it, that's his prerogative. The second issue, raised by MPs, is also not related to the government. In fact, neither issue involves the government directly,” Meghwal said, adding that the power to remove a judge of the Supreme Court or a high court rests with Parliament.
VIDEO | Cash discovery row: On the opposition raising the issue that the government is planning to bring an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma, and Justice Yashwant Varma challenging the move in the Supreme Court, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal (@arjunrammeghwal)… pic.twitter.com/o4U2JDzV4m
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2025
An impeachment motion requires signatures from at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members to be initiated. Meghwal acknowledged that while some MPs have taken steps in this direction, the government has remained uninvolved.
"The Constitution allows Parliament to bring a motion for removal, 100 or more MPs must sign in the Lok Sabha, and 50 or more in the Rajya Sabha. So, this is entirely a matter for the MPs, not the government," said the law minister.
Justice Varma has approached the Supreme Court, seeking to quash the in-house panel’s report, which found him guilty of misconduct in connection with a cash discovery incident. He is also challenging the May 8 recommendation by then-CJI Khanna for his removal.
The government intends to table the removal motion during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on July 21. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has signalled the party’s readiness to support the motion. "Parliament has right to remove SC or HC judge," also said Meghwal
The 25-page report submitted by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya, now available on the Supreme Court’s website, details the discovery of sacks containing partially burnt currency. The sacks were reportedly found after a fire—caused by an electrical fault—was extinguished at Justice Varma’s official residence in Lutyens' Delhi on March 14, when he was serving at the Delhi High Court.
Justice Varma has denied the allegations, asserting that neither he nor any family member had stored currency in the storeroom.
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