Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, who is facing inquiry proceedings in the Lok Sabha over the alleged cash-at-home controversy, has submitted his resignation to the President of India.
The resignation happened while the inquiry ordered by the Lok Sabha Committee in the motion to remove him was underway.
Last year, Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, constituted a three-member committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, for inquiry against Justice Varma over the alleged discovery of unaccounted cash currencies at his official residence.
But why he submitted resignation? Will resignation really benefit him?
People all over the social media are heavily criticizing him. Some people are saying that he submitted resignation as after resignation he will get retirement benefits. If he had been impeached, he would not get retirement benefits. So let’s have a look at the retirement benefits provided to Judges.
Retired High Court and Supreme Court judges in India are entitled to a pension and post-retiral benefits, governed by the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954. Following a landmark May 2025 Supreme Court judgment, all retired High Court judges are entitled to full, equal pensions based on a “one rank one pension” principle, regardless of when they served or if they were additional judges.
Retired judges in India receive substantial retirement benefits, including a pension of up to ₹16.8 lakh per annum (for Chief Justice of India) or ₹15 lakh per annum (Supreme Court/HC Chief Justice) plus dearness relief. Benefits also include free medical treatment, security cover, and staff allowance. As of May 2025, a “one rank one pension” model is mandated, ensuring full, equal pensions for high court judges regardless of tenure or entry source.
Pension offered to Judges
- Supreme Court Judge Pension: ₹15,00,000 per annum + dearness relief.
- Chief Justice of India Pension: ₹16,80,000 per annum + dearness relief.
- High Court Judge Pension: Full pension of ₹13.5 lakh per annum, with retired Chief Justices of High Courts receiving ₹15 lakh per annum.
- Equal Pension Rules: All High Court judges, including those who retired as additional judges, receive the same full pension regardless of their date of retirement.
- Pension Parity: The Supreme Court mandated that retirement benefits be equal, regardless of whether the judge was elevated from the Bar or the district judiciary.
Other Retirement Perks offered to Judges
- Security: Round-the-clock security at the residence, along with a personal security guard for up to three years.
- Staff: Lifetime provision of domestic help and a chauffeur, paid by the Supreme Court/High Court.
- Accommodation: Retired Chief Justices of High Courts may receive rent-free Type-VII accommodation in Delhi for six months.
- Medical Benefits: Free medical treatment for the judge and their family, including access to medical reimbursements.
- Hospitality: Access to VIP lounges at airports for retired judges.
Benefits for Domestic Help and Drivers
To enable the retired Chief Justice/Judge or their spouse, as the case may be, to engage domestic help(s)/Driver(s), a consolidated amount of Rs. 50,000/- per month to a retired Chief Justice or his/her spouse and Rs. 45,000/- per month to a retired Judge or his/her spouse, shall be paid.
Benefits for Mobile
The retired Chief Justice/Judge or their spouse, as the case may be, shall also be paid Rs. 15,000/- per month towards expenses of rental and calls of mobiles and/or landline, internet service, secretarial services and security service. However, the facility shall not be available if the retired Chief Justice/Judge or their spouse, as the case may be, has accepted some assignment and has been provided the same facilities under that assignment, during the continuation of such assignment.
