Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court resigned on April 9, exactly a year after firefighters discovered stacks of burnt cash at his official Delhi residence, prompting impeachment proceedings.
The incident unfolded March 14, 2025, during a fire at his Lutyens’ Bungalow while serving as a Delhi HC judge; responders found large piles of currency—some 1.5 feet high—in a storeroom, sparking corruption allegations.
Timeline of Events
A Supreme Court-appointed three-judge panel investigated, leading former CJI Sanjiv Khanna to recommend removal to the President. Varma challenged this in SC (dismissed) and was transferred to Allahabad HC; he denied links, calling claims “preposterous.”
Resignation Details
In a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Varma cited “deep anguish” without elaborating, effective immediately. “It has been an honour,” he wrote, as the Centre prepared impeachment.
Judicial Fallout
The case reignites debates on accountability, with visuals of burning notes fueling public outrage; Varma’s exit halts formal removal but leaves unresolved questions on the cash’s origin.
