Overview

• A three‐judge panel led by Chief Justices Sheel Nagu, G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Anu Sivaraman finalized its report on May 3, recommending Varma’s removal and forwarding findings to the Chief Justice of India, the President and the Prime Minister.
• Investigators found a large sum of burnt currency stored in a storeroom at Varma’s New Delhi residence and concluded access was under his “covert or active control,” supported by testimony from ten eyewitnesses.
• The panel applied an “implied responsibility” principle to link Varma to the undisclosed cash, while the judge has demanded a deeper inquiry into its origin and any family connection.
• Observers note the inquiry did not independently probe the cause of the March 14 fire that led to the cash discovery, leaving questions about its origin unanswered.
• Parliament is scheduled to consider an impeachment motion during its upcoming Monsoon Session, and the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Varma.