NEW DELHI, July 18 — Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said that all major political parties, including the Congress, are united in backing a motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma, after burnt stacks of cash were found at his residence earlier this year—an incident that has triggered national outrage over alleged judicial corruption.
In an exclusive interview with PTI, Rijiju said he had personally spoken to senior leaders across party lines and would soon reach out to single-member parties as well. “I want this to be a unified stand of the Parliament of India. No party should be seen protecting a corrupt judge,” he said.
The minister clarified that the move was not government-driven but backed by members of Parliament from various parties. “This is not about the ruling party. MPs from the Congress and other opposition parties are in agreement that such serious misconduct warrants action,” Rijiju added.
Justice Varma, who was serving with the Delhi High Court when a fire at his Lutyens’ residence in March revealed sacks of half-burnt currency notes in an outhouse, was later repatriated to the Allahabad High Court. However, no judicial work was assigned to him. An internal inquiry ordered by then Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna reportedly found enough evidence to establish that Varma and his family had “covert or active control” over the room where the money was stored.
Though Justice Varma has denied wrongdoing, the findings have paved the way for formal impeachment proceedings. “Corruption in the judiciary is a deeply serious and sensitive matter,” Rijiju said. “The judiciary is where people turn to for justice. If the system itself is compromised, public trust is shattered.”
The Congress has also confirmed its support. “All our MPs will back the motion against Justice Varma,” a party spokesperson said earlier.
Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, a motion for removal must be signed by at least 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha or 50 in the Rajya Sabha and submitted to the presiding officer of the House. Once admitted, a judicial inquiry committee is formed, which must submit its report within three months.
“After the report is tabled in Parliament, both Houses will hold discussions before voting,” Rijiju said, expressing hope that all parties will continue to uphold institutional integrity.
“There can be no partisan stance on this issue. Corruption in the judiciary is beyond politics, and Parliament must respond in one voice,” he said.
