Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has established a three-member committee to investigate allegations against Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma, following the reported discovery of a substantial amount of cash at his official residence. The panel consists of Justices Sheel Nagu, G.S. Sandhawalia, and Anu Sivaraman. During the investigation, Justice Varma has been relieved of his judicial duties.
The incident in question occurred on the night of March 14, when a fire broke out at Justice Varma's residence in Lutyens' Delhi around 11:35 PM. Firefighters responding to the emergency reportedly discovered a large stash of cash while extinguishing the blaze.
Subsequently, Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya initiated an in-house inquiry into the matter and submitted his findings to the CJI. The Supreme Court collegium, led by CJI Khanna, reviewed this report and decided to transfer Justice Varma back to the Allahabad High Court, where he was originally appointed as a judge in 2016.
Legal experts have emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation to uphold judicial integrity. Senior Advocate Adish Aggarwala remarked that while transfers are routine, a comprehensive inquiry is essential to address the gravity of the allegations. Similarly, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh advocated for an in-house investigation, stating that if the judge cannot satisfactorily explain the discovered cash, serious consequences should follow.
The Supreme Court has clarified that the decision to transfer Justice Varma is a preliminary measure, and further actions will be considered based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
Justice Varma's judicial responsibilities have been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry. The Supreme Court has emphasized its commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability within the judiciary throughout this process.
