New Delhi: In an unprecedented development, Justice Yashwant Varma – at whose house charred currency notes were discovered – has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the in-house inquiry committee’s report indicting him in the case.Justice Varma moved Supreme Court on July 17.The panel comprised Punjab and Haryana high court chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh high court chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Karnataka high court Justice Anu Sivaraman. Justice Verma was a Delhi high court judge when controversy erupted over the discovery of a large amount of cash from a room damaged by fire at his official residence. The panel had found “strong inferential evidence” of the judge’s “covert or active control” over the cash.Reports say that through the writ petition, Justice Varma also sought to quash the May 8 recommendation for his impeachment by former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to parliament. The Hindustan Times has reported that the judge argued in his petition that ex-CJI Khanna’s recommendation was based on an “unsustainable” report, which was prepared through a process that he claimed ran roughshod over his rights as a constitutional functionary and an individual.Ex-CJI Khanna had also decided to make the report public and CJI recommended Varma’s resignation. Varma, by then, was transferred back to the Allahabad high court, and refused.Varma has alleged in his petition that the committee did not give him a fair hearing. Hindustan Times has also reported that Varma also contended that the committee failed to investigate foundational facts, particularly those concerning the alleged cash found by first responders on March 14, that would be necessary to establish culpability.It is unclear if the petition will affect the impeachment process in parliament which is set to convene for the monsoon session next week. Veteran lawyer Indira Jaising had earlier told The Wire that while Varma continues to say he is innocent and that there is a conspiracy to malign him, the Supreme Court panel’s findings and conclusions would be immaterial in an impeachment case.Indian Express has quoted sources to say that Lok Sabha will likely take up a motion seeking Varma’s removal in the first week of the monsoon session.Almost all political parties are backing the impeachment notice. CPI leader John Brittas said today that the notice for impeachment of Justice Shekhar Yadav, who is facing a disciplinary trial for hate speech against Muslims, should also be taken up.