The process for the removal of Justice Varma was set in motion on 21 July, with parliamentarians submitting notices to the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with then-chairman of the Upper House Dhankhar taking note of the move.

While the notice submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman had the signatures of 63 opposition members, the one submitted to the Lok Sabha speaker was a bipartisan move, with 152 members, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, supporting the move.

In his remarks in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Birla said, “The committee will submit its report as early as possible. The proposal (for removal of Justice Varma) will remain pending till the receipt of the report of the inquiry committee.”

Birla said he had received a proposal from 146 Lok Sabha members, including Ravi Shankar Prasad and Gandhi, seeking removal of Justice Varma on 21 July.

Justice Varma was repatriated from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court after burnt wads of currency notes were found at his official residence on 14 March.