A three-member committee report into the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from the official Delhi residence of former Justice Yashwant Varma will be tabled in the Lok Sabha today, August 12, 2026.
According to the Lok Sabha’s Wednesday agenda, the Secretary-General of the House will place before the House the committee’s two-volume report along with the oral evidence. The process is being carried out under the provisions of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. The report was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in May 2026 after the committee examined documents, evidence and oral statements related to the allegations.
The matter dates back to the night of March 14, 2025, when a fire broke out at Justice Yashwant Varma’s official residence in Delhi. Firefighters who arrived to extinguish the blaze allegedly found burnt currency in a storeroom of the house. The alleged recovery subsequently led to allegations that Justice Varma was in possession of unaccounted cash.
The matter led to discussions concerning judicial transparency, accountability of judges and the credibility of judicial institutions. After the controversy escalated, Justice Varma was transferred from the Delhi High Court to his parent Allahabad High Court.
In view of the allegations, then Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted a three-member inquiry committee on August 12, 2025. The committee was tasked with investigating the allegations relating to the alleged recovery of cash from Justice Varma’s official residence.
After examining documents, evidence and oral statements connected with the matter, the committee submitted its report to the Lok Sabha Speaker in May 2026. The report is now being tabled in Parliament.
In July 2025, more than 200 MPs had submitted a motion in Parliament to initiate proceedings for the removal of Justice Varma from office. The inquiry committee was constituted subsequently.
During the process, Justice Varma resigned as a judge of the Allahabad High Court. Following his resignation, the parliamentary process for removing the judge from office became practically ineffective. The inquiry committee’s report is nevertheless being tabled, containing its findings from the investigation into the alleged cash matter.
