In his resignation letter dated April 9, Justice Varma expressed distress but did not elaborate on the reasons behind his decision. “While I do not propose to burden your august office with the reasons that have constrained me to submit this missive, it is with deep anguish that I hereby tender my resignation… with immediate effect,” he wrote, adding that it had been an honour to serve in the position.
His resignation halts the proceedings initiated under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. Since the statutory mechanism for removal applies only to sitting judges, the process becomes void once the individual demits office.
Justice Varma had been under scrutiny since March 2025, when a fire at his official Delhi residence reportedly led to the discovery of burnt piles of unaccounted cash. At the time, he was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court. An internal inquiry conducted by the Supreme Court later found his explanation unsatisfactory, prompting then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to recommend further action.
Subsequently, removal proceedings were initiated in Parliament, with motions introduced in both Houses in July 2025. In August, the Lok Sabha admitted the motion, and Speaker Om Birla constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the allegations.
The process, however, faced delays. In February, the panel had to be reconstituted after one of its members, Justice MM Shrivastava, retired before the probe could be completed, requiring the inquiry to restart as per legal provisions.
Justice Varma’s resignation now brings a sudden end to what had been a rare and closely watched impeachment process against a sitting high court judge.
