Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to HC Judge’s In-house Inquiry Procedure

• The Supreme Court has ruled that the in-house inquiry procedure leading to Justice Yashwant Varma’s removal has legal sanction.

• Justice Varma argued that the procedure violated Parliament’s exclusive authority to remove a High Court judge.

• Justice Datta dismissed Varma’s claim that the in-house inquiry report would influence Parliament’s decision to remove him.

• The court stated that the Parliament’s power to initiate proceedings for a judge’s removal remains unfettered, even if good grounds exist.

• The court also stated that the in-house procedure has been sanctioned by multiple Supreme Court judgments and was law of the land under Article 141.

• The court commended Chief Justice Khanna for proactively investigating allegations against Varma, stating he acted within the in-house procedure.