Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has raised serious concerns over the absence of criminal proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma, following the discovery of unaccounted cash at the judge's residence.

During a meeting with the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association in Chandigarh, Dhankhar questioned the judiciary's inaction, stating, "If there has been a crime, a culpable act, why wasn't it punished?" 

In March 2025, a fire at Justice Varma's Delhi residence led to the recovery of several burnt sacks of cash from the outhouse. Despite a Supreme Court-appointed panel confirming the cash seizure, no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed.

Dhankhar attributed this to a decades-old judicial order requiring high-level judicial permission to register an FIR against a sitting judge, a permission that has not been granted. 

The Vice President emphasized that while judges need protection due to the nature of their work, this case warranted a proper investigation. He also questioned the efficacy of the internal judicial committee's report, suggesting that it cannot substitute for a formal criminal investigation. 

The government is reportedly considering initiating an impeachment motion against Justice Varma in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Dhankhar's remarks highlight the tension between judicial independence and accountability, urging the judiciary to uphold public trust by addressing allegations transparently and promptly.