The Union government is considering initiating impeachment proceedings in Parliament against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.

This follows the findings of a Supreme Court-appointed inquiry committee that reportedly indicted the judge after large amounts of burnt cash were discovered at his official residence in Delhi.

Sources within the government indicate that an impeachment motion could be introduced during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled to begin in the latter half of July. The move is being explored as a potential course of action if Justice Varma does not voluntarily step down.

Following the incident, Justice Varma was repatriated from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court. The then Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, had written to the President and the Prime Minister recommending Justice Varma’s impeachment, after the internal probe panel concluded its findings—though the report has not been made public. Sources said that Justice Khanna had also urged Varma to resign, but the judge declined.

As of now, the formal impeachment process has not commenced, an official clarified. Meanwhile, Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing, asserting he had no connection to the cash found at his outhouse, which reportedly came to light after a fire broke out.

Government officials say they are aiming to build consensus across party lines before proceeding with the motion. "A final decision will be taken soon. It is difficult to ignore such a visible scandal," a source said, adding that political parties across the spectrum have criticized the judge’s alleged conduct.

Under constitutional provisions, an impeachment motion can be introduced in either House of Parliament. In the Rajya Sabha, it requires signatures from at least 50 members; in the Lok Sabha, 100 members must support the motion. If admitted and passed by a two-thirds majority, the presiding officer refers the matter to the Chief Justice of India, who then forms a three-member inquiry committee—comprising a sitting Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice of a High Court, and an eminent jurist nominated by the government.

The government reportedly intends to consult opposition leaders on the draft of the motion, which will likely include the findings of the panel that investigated the burnt currency found at Justice Varma’s residence.