New Delhi [India], May 28: Amid growing controversy over allegations of unaccounted money found at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has come out in support of a potential impeachment motion reportedly being considered by the Centre.
CPI General Secretary D Raja stated that the credibility of the judiciary needs to be restored, and his party would support strong action if the impeachment motion is tabled.
“Let them bring the impeachment motion. The Judiciary should understand that it has to work within the framework of the Constitution… To restore the credibility of our judiciary, there must be some strong action. We will support the impeachment motion,” Raja told ANI.
He also criticized delays in action and called for a robust debate when the issue is brought before Parliament.
The controversy stems from reports of cash recovery at Justice Varma’s official residence, which led to an internal Supreme Court inquiry. The findings were submitted to then Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, on May 4, and have since been forwarded to the Prime Minister and the President of India, according to a May 8 press release by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recently refused to entertain a plea seeking the registration of an FIR against Justice Varma, filed by Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara. A bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka advised the petitioner to first submit a representation to constitutional authorities—the Prime Minister and the President—before approaching the apex court.
“You don’t know the contents of the report, even we don’t know. The CJI has sent the report to the Prime Minister and President,” Justice Oka said while dismissing the plea.
With the issue now in the hands of the executive branch, political attention is likely to intensify as calls for judicial accountability intersect with constitutional procedures and legislative action.