Lok Sabha sets in motion process to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma

Yashwant Varma. FILE PIC

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday constituted a three-member committee to probe charges against Justice Yashwant Varma after admitting a multi-party notice for his removal, setting in motion the process of impeachment of the Allahabad High Court judge.

The inquiry committee comprises Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar, Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and senior Karnataka High Court advocate B V Acharya. "The committee will submit its report as early as possible. The proposal (for removal of Justice Varma) will remain pending till the receipt of the report of the inquiry committee," Birla said.

Birla said he had received a proposal from 146 Lok Sabha members, including Ravi Shankar Prasad and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, seeking removal of Justice Varma on July 21. Justice Varma was repatriated from the Delhi HC to the Allahabad HC after burnt wads of currency notes were found at his official residence here on March 14.

After referring to relevant laws and judgements of the SC, the Delhi HC chief justice found the charges against Justice Varma were of serious nature and followed it up with the "in-house procedure". The Lok Sabha Speaker said he has accepted the proposal and constituted a three-member committee for the removal of Justice Varma from his post in accordance with Section 3(2) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968.

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