Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Constitutes 3-Member Panel to Investigate Justice Yashwant Varma Impeachment Motion

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New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday announced the constitution of a three-member committee to examine the impeachment proposal against former Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, who is under scrutiny following a cash recovery controversy.

The committee will include Supreme Court Judge Aravind Kumar, Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, and senior jurist B V Acharya. This panel has been tasked with probing the charges leveled against Justice Varma.

Speaker Birla made the announcement after accepting a motion supported by 146 Members of Parliament seeking Varma’s impeachment. Commenting on the process, he stated, “The committee will submit its report as early as possible. The proposal will remain pending till the receipt of the report.”

According to Article 124(4) of the Constitution, the impeachment procedure involves the committee submitting its findings to the Speaker, who then presents the report to the House. The panel holds the authority to collect evidence and cross-examine witnesses. Should the judge be found culpable, the House where the motion was introduced votes on adopting the report.

The motion then moves to the other House, requiring at least a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in both Houses for impeachment to succeed.

With bipartisan consensus reportedly in favor of Justice Varma’s removal, the impeachment process is expected to move forward smoothly.

Background: The Yashwant Varma Cash Recovery Controversy

On March 14, a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s residence, leading firefighters to discover a significant amount of unaccounted cash. A video later surfaced showing bundles of currency burning in the blaze.

The allegations sparked corruption accusations against Varma, which he denied, terming them a conspiracy to defame him. The Chief Justice of India responded by ordering an in-house inquiry and formed a three-member committee on March 22 to investigate.

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