Latest news with #YashwantVerma
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Unconstitutional": RS MP Kapil Sibal on removal of Justice Yashwant Verma on basis of in house enquiry
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday said that the steps to remove Justice Yashwant Verma on the basis of an in-house enquiry report will be 'unconstitutional', adding that a precedent like this will be a 'huge' danger for judicial independence. Sibal said that removing based on the in-house report will be an indirect way of controlling the judiciary. 'Kiren Rijiju is trying with the opposition parties that they should come together to remove Justice Yashwant Verma... If they do so, we will oppose that. We warn the government that any such step will be unconstitutional. Such a precedent will be a huge danger for judicial independence... It's an indirect way of controlling the judiciary. It is dangerous to bypass the Judges' Enquiry Act... Those who are in a higher position are fulfilling their responsibility a bit slowly,' Sibal told ANI. The Rajya Sabha MP, further reacting to the impeachment motion against the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said, 'On December 13, 2024, we brought an impeachment motion against the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. 55 members of the Rajya Sabha had signed on to that. It's been around six months, and to date, the Chairman has not taken a step forward in that direction. Those who are in constitutional posts just need to verify the signatures; should it take six months?... I tell you today - 55 signed are there - two things will happen: either no action will be taken or the 5-6 signatures will be declared invalid so the motion can be rejected...' Earlier, on June 4, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that he is working on building a consensus amongst all political parties to move against an impeachment motion against High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said that there is no scope for any politicking, as the impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma is a matter related to corruption in the judiciary. 'The impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma is a matter related to corruption in the judiciary. So, there is no scope for any politicking. There is no scope for taking a separate political position for every party. So, we would like to have a united stand; Parliament as a whole will have to come together to discuss this matter and move forward. So, I am building consensus amongst all political parties, and I have started discussions with prominent leaders, and I will reach out to everybody,' he said. '(The response has been) very positive. As I said, in this matter, there is no scope for taking a political stance by each party. The matter is very serious, and it is extremely important for the nation. So, when we discuss corruption, whether it's corruption in the judiciary or anywhere, it has to be taken in the best consideration of the nation. We are not going to have a partisan view on that,' Rijiju added. The Supreme Court had constituted an inquiry committee following allegations of 'burnt cash' found at a storeroom of Justice Varma's residence when he was a Judge of the Delhi High Court. The in-house inquiry committee submitted its report on the issue last month, which has since been forwarded to the Prime Minister and the President of India. (ANI)
India Today
04-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Parliament's Monsoon Session from July 21 to August 12; first after Op Sindoor
The Monsoon Session of Parliament will be held from July 21 to August 12, according to the recommendations sent by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs to the President, sources told India Today revealed that the government is ready to discuss Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack in line with the rules and regulations of the Parliament if the Opposition demands a Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reached out to several Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party, and DMK, in connection with the impeachment case of Justice Yashwant Verma. This is a developing story. It will be updated.
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Burnt Cash Row: Centre mulls impeachment of Justice Varma
New Delhi: The Union government is considering initiating impeachment proceedings against Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Verma, who has been accused in connection with a high-profile cash scandal. The action follows a Supreme Court-appointed panel's indictment, which came after bundles of burnt currency notes were recovered from his official residence in Delhi. Justice Verma was transferred back to the Allahabad High Court from the Delhi High Court soon after the incident came to light. Despite being urged to step down by the then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, Verma reportedly refused to resign. Consequently, CJI Khanna wrote to both the President and Prime Minister, recommending an impeachment motion—a move that has gained traction within government circles. Sources within the government have confirmed that while the formal process has not yet begun, the option of tabling an impeachment motion during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament is under active consideration. For the impeachment to move forward, at least 50 Rajya Sabha members or 100 Lok Sabha members must support the motion. Upon approval by a two-thirds majority, the Speaker or Rajya Sabha Chairman would request the Chief Justice of India to form a three-member investigation committee, including a sitting Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and an eminent jurist nominated by the government. The judge in question has denied any links to the cash, which was discovered after a fire broke out at his outhouse. Despite his denial, the incident has drawn criticism across the political spectrum. The findings of the Supreme Court in-house panel—though not publicly released—form the basis of the impeachment proposal. The draft motion is expected to include details of these findings, subject to further discussions and cross-party consultations. BJP, Cong back govt move Meanwhile, in a show of unity, both the BJP and the Congress have extended their support to the Central government which is exploring options to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma. Commenting on the development, BJP MLA Ram Kadam said, 'If the person who is supposed to deliver justice is himself involved in a major act of corruption while sitting on the Bench, then the government and Parliament must ensure justice for all. The judge must answer where such large sums of money came from. Appropriate action should be taken.' Congress MP Sukhdev Bhagat also extended his party's support to the move. 'Although these proceedings are at an early stage, if the government decides to go ahead with the impeachment motion, the Congress will support it. We have always stood against corruption. While the judiciary holds a neutral and sacred status, allegations of corruption are grave. We believe he should resign voluntarily. But I must ask the BJP — why is there such a delay? Where are their constitutional institutions today? The Congress will stand with the government on this issue, though it is premature to comment on all uncertainties.'
India.com
05-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Cash At Judge's Home Row: SC In-House Panel Submits Probe Report To CJI Khanna
The Supreme Court-appointed enquiry panel formed to probe into cash discovery allegations against Justice Yashwant Verma has submitted its report to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna. Then Delhi HC judge, Justice Varma is embroiled in a controversy surrounding the alleged discovery of a huge pile of burnt cash in the storeroom attached to his bungalow in Delhi after the fire brigade had gone there to douse a blaze on March 14. "The three-member Committee consisting of Mr Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Mr Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh. and Ms Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, constituted for conducting an inquiry into the allegations against Mr Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting Judge, has submitted its report dated 03.05.2025 to the Chief Justice of India on 04.05.2025," said a press released issued by the apex court on Monday. Justice Varma's transfer from Delhi High Court to Allahabad HC, amid an in-house probe, was cleared by the Union government on March 28. The CJI Khanna-led Supreme Court Collegium had earlier recommended that the Centre repatriate Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court. It had said that the proposal for the transfer of Justice Varma, who is the second senior-most judge in the Delhi High Court, to his parent High Court, i.e. the Allahabad High Court, where he will be the ninth in seniority, is "independent and separate from the In-house enquiry procedure". Justice Varma was taken off judicial work before being sent to the Allahabad HC. His shift to Uttar Pradesh came despite opposition from the bar associations in Lucknow and Allahabad. While Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing, CJI Khanna constituted a 3-member committee in the last week of March to conduct an in-house inquiry.
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Cash at judge's residence: SC 'in-house' panel submits probe report to CJI
New Delhi: The Supreme Court-appointed enquiry panel formed to probe into cash discovery allegations against Justice Yashwant Verma has submitted its report to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna. Then Delhi HC judge, Justice Varma is embroiled in a controversy surrounding the alleged discovery of a huge pile of burnt cash in the storeroom attached to his bungalow in Delhi after the fire brigade had gone there to douse a blaze on March 14. "The three-member Committee consisting of Mr Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Mr Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh. and Ms Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, constituted for conducting an inquiry into the allegations against Mr Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting Judge, has submitted its report dated 03.05.2025 to the Chief Justice of India on 04.05.2025," said a press released issued by the apex court on Monday. Justice Varma's transfer from Delhi High Court to Allahabad HC, amid an in-house probe, was cleared by the Union government on March 28. The CJI Khanna-led Supreme Court Collegium had earlier recommended that the Centre repatriate Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court. It had said that the proposal for the transfer of Justice Varma, who is the second senior-most judge in the Delhi High Court, to his parent High Court, i.e. the Allahabad High Court, where he will be the ninth in seniority, is "independent and separate from the In-house enquiry procedure". Justice Varma was taken off judicial work before being sent to the Allahabad HC. His shift to Uttar Pradesh came despite opposition from the bar associations in Lucknow and Allahabad. While Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing, CJI Khanna constituted a 3-member committee in the last week of March to conduct an in-house inquiry.
