Cash-at-home case: Supreme Court backs Lok Sabha Speaker’s inquiry against Justice Varma

The Supreme Court dismissed Justice Yashwant Varma’s plea against the Lok Sabha Speaker’s inquiry panel, allowing the impeachment process to continue.

• SC rejects Justice Varma's plea against Lok Sabha Speaker's inquiry panel
• Parliamentary probe into cash found at judge's residence can now proceed
• Court upholds Speaker's authority under Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968

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The Supreme Court of India on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Justice Yashwant Varma challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to admit a motion for his removal and to constitute an inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

The ruling removes a key procedural hurdle and allows the parliamentary inquiry into corruption allegations linked to unaccounted cash found at the judge’s official residence in Delhi last year to proceed.

Bench rejects challenge to Speaker’s committee

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma rejected Justice Varma’s argument that a joint committee of both Houses was mandatory under the 1968 law. The court held that the procedure adopted by the Speaker was legally valid.

The plea had questioned the Lok Sabha Speaker’s authority to constitute a committee when removal motions were moved in both Houses on the same day.

What the court examined

The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict last week after hearing detailed submissions on whether Section 3(2) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act required a joint committee in such circumstances. On December 16, 2025, the court had agreed to examine Justice Varma’s challenge to the Speaker’s action.

Justice Varma, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, argued that the committee’s constitution violated his right to equal treatment under the law.

Background: cash recovery and transfer

In March last year, stacks of cash were recovered from Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi following a fire. The then Chief Justice took cognisance of the incident and transferred him from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court.

In August 2025, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced a three-member panel to probe the allegations, triggering the legal challenge.

The decision reinforces Parliament’s procedural autonomy in judge removal cases under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 and narrows the scope for pre-emptive judicial review of impeachment processes. Unlike past instances where courts have intervened on procedural lapses, the ruling signals deference to the statutory framework once a Speaker admits a motion.