Congress Demands Govt Release Report on Justice Varma's Corruption Probe

New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI) — The Congress party has requested the government to release the report by a Supreme Court-appointed committee that investigated corruption allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma. This request comes as the party aims to define its position on the judge's impeachment before the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, as per party sources on Thursday. However, the government has yet to respond to this request.

According to reports, several burned sacks filled with cash were allegedly found at Justice Varma's Delhi residence after a fire incident in March, while he served as a Delhi High Court judge. Despite Justice Varma's claims of ignorance regarding the cash, the committee appointed by the Supreme Court indicted him after questioning multiple witnesses and reviewing his statement.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has begun dialogues with all political parties to introduce an impeachment motion against Justice Varma during Parliament's Monsoon session, starting on July 21. Congress sources confirmed that the party has asked Rijiju for the committee report to finalize its stance on the impeachment issue, but a response is awaited from the minister.

Last week, Rijiju emphasized the government's determination to involve all political parties in the impeachment motion, stating that judicial corruption should not be viewed through a "political prism." He stressed the need for a "collaborative effort." Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968, after a motion to remove a judge is accepted in either House, a three-member committee is formed by the speaker or chairman to explore the removal grounds.

The committee comprises the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge, the chief justice of one of the high courts, and a "distinguished jurist." Rijiju noted that this particular case is "slightly different" due to an in-house committee report submitted by former CJI Sanjiv Khanna.

"We will determine the course of action," Rijiju stated earlier, mentioning the process must be followed, but decisions need to be made on integrating the conducted inquiry. Following the Supreme Court's internal investigation, it's believed former CJI Sanjeev Khanna urged Varma to resign, yet he refused. The apex court subsequently relocated him to the Allahabad High Court, where he has not received any judicial assignments.

Former CJI Khanna had reached out to the president and prime minister, recommending Justice Varma's impeachment.