India, July 6 -- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decision to table the inquiry committee's report on former Allahabad high court judge justice Yashwant Varma when Parliament reconvenes on July 20 has opened an unprecedented constitutional puzzle.

Following his resignation on April 9, justice Varma surrendered the official amenities and privileges attached to judicial office, ceased to draw a judicial salary, and revived his enrolment with the Bar Council, legally enabling him to resume private legal practice. His pension and other terminal benefits have not yet been released.

If justice Varma is no longer a judge, can Parliament consider removing him through impeachment? And if he continues to hold judicial office - a prerequisite for impe...