SC Rejects Plea for FIR, Probe Against Former HC Judge Yashwant Varma

New Delhi, Aug 7: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking registration of an FIR and a court-monitored investigation against former Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma over the alleged discovery of a large quantity of cash following a fire at his Delhi residence.

A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe dismissed the petition filed by advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay, who argued that resigning from judicial office does not remove criminal liability for allegedly unaccounted money.

The petitioner submitted that an earlier plea on the issue had been dismissed on technical grounds as no complaint had been filed at the time, while a complaint had now been submitted.

Justice Narasimha, however, said the petition amounted to a misuse of the judicial process and declined to entertain it.

“You are an advocate. This is just a misuse of the judicial process. All for cheap publicity. We are not inclined to entertain this. Dismissed,” the judge said.

Upadhyay argued that there was no legal basis for refusing to entertain the plea, pointing out that a High Court judge is considered a public servant and that there is no immunity from prosecution after retirement.

The Supreme Court nevertheless dismissed the petition.

Varma, who was facing impeachment proceedings over allegations of corruption after burnt currency notes were reportedly recovered from his Delhi residence, resigned on April 9. His resignation rendered the removal proceedings initiated by the Lok Sabha “infructuous”.

Varma sent his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu and withdrew from the inquiry being conducted by a panel appointed by the Lok Sabha. He was otherwise due to retire on January 5, 2031.

The alleged cash discovery followed a fire at his Lutyens’ Delhi residence, when he was serving as a Delhi High Court judge, at around 11.35 pm on March 14, 2025. Fire personnel reached the premises and brought the blaze under control. (Agencies)