Congress Demands SC Report on Justice Varma Allegations

New Delhi

The Congress party has requested the central government to share the report prepared by a Supreme Court-appointed committee that investigated corruption allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma. Party sources said this will help Congress decide its position on the impeachment motion ahead of Parliament’s Monsoon Session starting July 21.

The case dates back to March when a fire at Justice Varma’s official Delhi residence revealed several burnt sacks full of cash. At the time, Varma was a judge of the Delhi High Court. He has since been transferred to the Allahabad High Court and claims he had no knowledge of the money.

The Supreme Court’s in-house panel, formed by then CJI Sanjiv Khanna, spoke to witnesses and recorded Varma’s statement before submitting its report, reportedly indicting him. Despite pressure to resign, Justice Varma has refused and remains without judicial duties.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is engaging with political parties to bring a united impeachment motion. Congress has asked him to share the panel’s findings, but no response has been received so far.

Rijiju has emphasized that judicial corruption cannot be viewed politically and that any impeachment move should be a joint effort. He noted that the current case is unique since the inquiry has already been done.

Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968, Parliament must follow due process, which includes forming a three-member probe panel. Rijiju said the challenge now is how to integrate the in-house report into this constitutional process.