During the recent Holi weekend, a fire broke out at the official bungalow of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma. While firefighters were handling the situation, they discovered a large amount of unaccounted cash inside the house. This shocking revelation has raised serious concerns about judicial integrity.
After the discovery, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, quickly intervened. They decided to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma back to the Allahabad High Court, which is his parent court. The decision aims to protect the credibility of the judiciary and ensure a fair investigation.
The incident has caused an uproar among legal experts and the general public. Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya expressed his concerns, stating that the situation has left many in the judiciary “shaken and demoralized.”
The Supreme Court has launched an internal investigation to determine the source of the cash and whether any wrongdoing was involved. Depending on the findings, further actions may include:
- Seeking Justice Varma’s resignation
- Initiating removal proceedings under Article 124(4) of the Indian Constitution
The matter was also discussed in Rajya Sabha, where members raised concerns about judicial accountability. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar assured the house that steps will be taken to address such issues transparently.
Justice Yashwant Varma was appointed to the Delhi High Court in October 2021. Before that, he served at the Allahabad High Court. Currently, he is on leave and has not issued any public statement regarding the case.
This case has sparked an important debate on transparency in the judiciary. The Supreme Court’s probe will be crucial in determining the next steps in this high-profile case.
