New Delhi

The process to impeach Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma has been initiated and the government is awaiting the findings of a three-member inquiry committee constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday.

Addressing reporters, Rijiju said the procedure was moving forward strictly in accordance with established parliamentary norms and legal provisions. The inquiry committee was formed on August 12 last year after the Speaker admitted a multi-party notice seeking the removal of Justice Varma over allegations of corruption.

Justice Varma was sent back to the Allahabad High Court from the Delhi High Court following an incident on March 14, when burnt bundles of currency notes were reportedly discovered at his official residence in the national capital.

When asked whether the issue would be taken up during the Budget Session of Parliament, which begins on Wednesday, Rijiju declined to comment. “As per the procedure, the matter has been referred to the committee constituted by the Speaker with the consent of the House. The process is ongoing,” he said.

The minister added that the government would wait for the panel to complete its task before making any further statement. “While the committee is discharging its responsibility, we are awaiting its report. Until then, it would not be appropriate for me to comment,” Rijiju said.

The inquiry panel comprises Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar, Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and senior advocate of the Karnataka High Court B V Acharya.

Sources familiar with the proceedings said the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, after examining relevant legal provisions and Supreme Court rulings, found the allegations against Justice Varma to be serious in nature and initiated the judiciary’s internal “in-house procedure” before the matter moved to Parliament.

Officials also pointed out that under parliamentary procedure, Justice Varma has the option to resign while presenting his defence before either House of Parliament. A verbal declaration of resignation on the floor of the House would be treated as valid.

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If Justice Varma chooses to resign, he would be entitled to pension and other retirement benefits applicable to a High Court judge. However, removal through parliamentary impeachment would result in the forfeiture of such benefits, officials said.