100 MPs’ signatures taken, Rijiju says move to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma underway

The process to bring an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma is underway and has already garnered the support of over 100 MPs, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday.

“I cannot comment on any business in terms of priority because until or unless the matter is passed by the BAC (Business Advisory Committee) with approval by the Chair, it is difficult for me to make an announcement outside… The signature (exercise) is underway and it has crossed 100 already,” said Rijiju, responding to queries ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament. While Rijiju refrained from elaborating on whether the motion would be introduced in the early days of the session, his confirmation of cross-party backing signals that the impeachment process is gaining traction.

The development comes after a three-judge in-house committee of the Supreme Court submitted a report, holding Justice Varma prima facie guilty of serious judicial misconduct. A large cache of unaccounted cash was recovered from a storeroom attached to the then Delhi High Court judge’s official residence in March, sparking public uproar and prompting the Chief Justice of India to recommend his removal.

The required threshold to initiate impeachment proceedings against a High Court judge is the support of at least 100 Lok Sabha or 50 Rajya Sabha members. While the government has maintained it will not formally move the motion, several MPs from both Treasury and Opposition benches are believed to have signed the petition.

Meanwhile, Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing and filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking orders to quash the in-house panel’s report, calling it “procedurally flawed” and claiming he was not given a fair opportunity to respond.

The Opposition is likely to use the issue in the monsoon session to target the government over judicial accountability and transparency.