Parliament: Justice Varma inquiry report tabled in Lok Sabha; Congress seeks debate on temple funds

The report of the inquiry committee probing allegations against Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma will be placed before the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The development comes after removal proceedings were initiated against the judge over the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence.

According to the list of business for the day, the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha will lay the two volumes of the report along with the oral evidence recorded during the inquiry. The tabling of the report is a procedural step mandated under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, which sets the framework for investigating allegations of misbehaviour or incapacity against judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

Justice Varma has faced scrutiny since March 2025, when a fire broke out at his official residence in Delhi. During the firefighting operations, large amounts of cash were allegedly found in a room used as a storeroom. The discovery led to a political controversy, with Opposition parties demanding a thorough investigation. The Supreme Court subsequently constituted a three-member inquiry committee to examine the allegations.

The judge has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyers have maintained that the cash did not belong to him. However, the initiation of removal proceedings under Article 218 of the Constitution, read with the Judges (Inquiry) Act, reflects the seriousness of the case. If the report finds grounds for removal, it will be taken up for consideration by Parliament.

In a separate development, Congress Member of Parliament Manickam Tagore has given notice of an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on what he termed the 'alleged theft, misappropriation, and irregular handling of temple donations and valuables across the country.' An Adjournment Motion is a parliamentary tool used to draw the House's attention to a matter of urgent public importance, and it usually requires the support of a specified number of members to be admitted for discussion.

Tagore's notice comes amid growing concerns over the management of funds and assets of religious institutions. Several reports have highlighted irregularities in the administration of temple endowments in various states, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability. The notice is expected to be examined by the Speaker, who will decide whether it qualifies for admission.

Both matters are set to generate significant debate during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, which has already witnessed heated exchanges between the ruling and Opposition benches. While the tabling of the Justice Varma inquiry report is a judicial and parliamentary procedure, the proposed discussion on temple funds touches on issues of governance, religious trust management, and financial oversight.

The monsoon session, which began in late July, has been marked by several confrontations over legislative business and procedural issues. Earlier this week, the Rajya Sabha passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill in the absence of Opposition members, while the Lok Sabha passed the Bill amid continued din. The developments highlight the charged political atmosphere as Parliament reconvenes for its final stretch before the scheduled conclusion of the session.

With the Justice Varma report now before the Lok Sabha, all eyes will be on how the House proceeds with its examination. The report's contents, once made public, could have far-reaching implications for the judiciary and the government's handling of allegations against senior judges.