Justice Varma to get three chances to defend himself

NEW DELHI: Justice Yashwant Varma, facing an impeachment in Parliament after an unspecified amount of money was found in his official residence following a fire, will get at least two chances to defend himself, a top-ranking official said on Friday.

- Saubhadra Chatterji

Justice Varma will get his first opportunity after Parliament constitutes an expert committee to independently examine the case. When the probe committee decides to frame its charges against Varma, a copy of those charges will be sent to him for his reply.

"This is a part of the process that will be adopted during the impeachment of justice Verma. Just as in the case of the ethics or privileges panel, where an accused can defend themselves, in the case of impeachment motion, the judge will be allowed to present his case. Parliament has always upheld the principles of justice," explained the official who asked not to be named.