Resignation Submitted to the President

Yashwant Varma, a judge of the Allahabad High Court, has resigned from his position following a major controversy. On Friday, he submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu.

His resignation comes amid ongoing scrutiny and an internal inquiry into allegations linked to a cash recovery incident at his residence.

Cash Recovery Sparks Controversy

Justice Varma landed in controversy after a significant amount of cash was reportedly recovered from his residence. The issue gained further attention after a fire broke out at his Delhi home.

During the subsequent investigation, bundles of partially burnt ₹500 currency notes were recovered, raising serious concerns and triggering allegations of financial misconduct. The incident led to widespread public and legal debate over judicial accountability.

Transfer from Delhi to Allahabad

Following the controversy, Justice Varma was transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court. He had taken oath at his new post on the 5th of the month.

However, after his transfer, he was reportedly not assigned any judicial work, indicating the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing internal proceedings.

Under Internal Investigation

Sources indicate that Justice Varma has been facing an internal inquiry in connection with the alleged “cash scandal.” The judiciary had initiated proceedings to examine the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the burnt currency notes.

His resignation is being seen as a significant development in the case, as questions remain about the findings of the investigation and possible further action.

Wider Implications

The controversy has once again brought attention to issues of transparency and accountability within the judiciary. Legal experts believe that the case could have broader implications for judicial ethics and institutional credibility in India.

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Bipartisan Coalition Moves Against Allahabad High Court Judge
In a rare show of unity, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday cleared the way for an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court. The motion, backed by 146 parliamentarians from both the ruling and opposition benches, marks one of the few bipartisan efforts in recent history aimed at probing alleged corruption within the higher judiciary.

Fire Incident Sparks Investigation
The controversy traces back to a dramatic incident on March 14, 2025, when a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi, where he was then on a visit to the Delhi High Court. While the blaze was swiftly contained, firefighters reportedly discovered a bag in the judge’s storeroom containing partially burnt ₹500 currency notes.

Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the cash was planted as part of a conspiracy to frame him. Nevertheless, the discovery triggered widespread suspicion and public debate.

Transfer Fails to Quell Public Doubt
Two weeks later, on March 28, Justice Varma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court—a move that did little to ease the controversy. Speaker Birla has since constituted a high-powered inquiry panel comprising Supreme Court Justice Arvind Kumar, senior advocate B.B. Acharya of the Karnataka High Court, and Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava. The committee’s findings will determine whether the impeachment motion proceeds in Parliament.

Rare Procedure in Indian Judicial History
The impeachment of a High Court or Supreme Court judge in India is exceptionally rare and involves a complex process requiring passage in both Houses of Parliament. The investigation committee—typically made up of senior judges and eminent jurists—must submit its report before any voting can take place.

Mounting Questions Over Judicial Accountability
The central question remains: how did such a large sum of cash end up in the judge’s residence? Critics argue that Justice Varma’s defence, that he never kept cash at home, fails to answer the mounting allegations. Supporters, however, warn against rushing to judgment without conclusive proof.

The case is now being closely watched across legal and political circles, as it could set a precedent in the realm of judicial accountability and transparency in India’s higher courts.

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Court Sets Aside Adult Trial Order for Minor in Consensual Case

The Allahabad High Court has overturned the decision of the Juvenile Justice Board and the POCSO Court in Kaushambi, which had earlier directed that a 16-year-old boy be tried as an adult in a case involving a consensual physical relationship with a minor girl. On 24 July 2025, a single bench headed by Justice Siddharth ruled that the teenager must be tried as a juvenile, citing his underdeveloped mental and social capabilities.

Psychological Report Reveals Borderline Intellectual Functioning

The decision was heavily influenced by a psychological evaluation that showed the boy’s IQ to be just 66—placing him in the borderline intellectual functioning category. Despite his physical age being over 16, his mental age was estimated at around six years. The court observed that the juvenile lacked adequate academic and social development and should not be equated with adult offenders.

Justice Siddharth noted, “There is no material on record to suggest that the revisionist is a dangerous individual or likely to reoffend without provocation. The juvenile’s poor academic record and lack of social maturity do not warrant an adult trial.”

Juvenile Justice Board and POCSO Court Pulled Up for Procedural Lapses

In a sharp rebuke to the lower courts, the High Court stated that both the Juvenile Justice Board and the Appellate Court failed to comply with mandatory provisions under Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The section mandates a preliminary inquiry to assess the child’s physical and mental capacity, awareness of consequences, and surrounding circumstances before ordering an adult trial in heinous crime cases.

The High Court found that no such inquiry had been properly conducted. Furthermore, necessary documentation was reportedly not shared with the juvenile or his guardians, violating procedural fairness.

Court Criticizes the Role of Media and Technology in Juvenile Behaviour

Beyond the legal specifics of the case, Justice Siddharth raised larger societal concerns about the influence of mass media and digital platforms on children. “The television, the internet, and social media are all leading to a calamitous end of innocence among young minds at a very tender age,” he remarked in court.

He warned that the unchecked exposure to adult content and unrealistic portrayals of relationships may be distorting the mental development of children. “The government seems helpless in curbing these forces due to the uncontrollable nature of technology,” the court noted.

Calls for Nuanced Approach to Juvenile Justice

The High Court emphasized that trying juveniles as adults—especially in sensitive and complex cases—must not become the norm. Referring to the Nirbhaya case, Justice Siddharth underlined that exceptions should not dictate routine legal practice. Each juvenile case must be assessed independently, with weight given to psychological and emotional factors.

Broader Debate on Technology’s Role in Shaping Young Minds

This judgment not only affirms the importance of protecting the legal rights of juveniles but also shines a spotlight on the broader implications of digital exposure. With adolescents increasingly shaped by online content and social media trends, the verdict is a timely reminder of the urgent need for policy interventions to safeguard children’s mental and emotional well-being in a rapidly digitalising society.

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