Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday announced the formation of a three-member panel to investigate allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose residence a large amount of cash was recovered.
The announcement followed the acceptance of a motion signed by 146 MPs seeking the judge’s impeachment.
The panel comprises Justice Aravind Kumar of the Supreme Court, Justice Maninder Mohan, the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, and senior advocate B V Acharaya.
It will examine the charges against Justice Varma in line with the procedure for judicial impeachment outlined under Article 124(4) of the Constitution.
Under the process, the committee will have the authority to summon evidence and cross-examine witnesses. Once the panel submits its report to the Speaker, it will be placed before the Lok Sabha for consideration.
If the judge is found guilty and the House adopts the report, the motion will be put to a vote. The same process will then take place in the Rajya Sabha.
Both the ruling coalition and the opposition are reportedly united in their support for Justice Varma’s removal, making the passage of the motion likely to be without hurdles.
This development comes just days after the Supreme Court dismissed Justice Varma’s plea challenging the in-house inquiry report and the then Chief Justice of India’s recommendation to the President to remove him from office.
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