Key Points:
- Cash Scandal: A fire at Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Verma’s residence led to the discovery of unaccounted cash worth crores, sparking a judicial controversy.
- Supreme Court Action: The Supreme Court Collegium, led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, transferred Justice Verma to Allahabad High Court as an immediate response.
- Calls for Stricter Action: Some Collegium members demanded Justice Verma’s resignation or an internal inquiry to uphold judicial integrity.
- Judiciary Credibility at Stake: The incident has raised concerns about the judiciary’s reputation and the need for stronger accountability mechanisms.
New Delhi: A fire at the official residence of Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Verma has uncovered crores of unaccounted cash, sending shockwaves through judicial and political circles. The incident, which occurred during Holi vacations, prompted the Supreme Court Collegium to take swift action by transferring Justice Verma back to his parent court at Allahabad. However, questions remain about whether a mere transfer is enough to address the gravity of the situation.
How the Incident Unfolded
On March 14, a fire broke out at Justice Verma’s official bungalow on Tughlak Road in Delhi while he was out of town. Family members alerted the fire brigade and police. After extinguishing the fire, officials discovered large piles of cash scattered in one of the rooms. Initial reports suggest that this money could be unaccounted for or linked to benami transactions. The discovery was officially documented and reported to senior law enforcement authorities and eventually reached Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna.
Supreme Court’s Response
Taking serious note of the incident, CJI Sanjiv Khanna convened an emergency meeting of the Supreme Court Collegium on March 20. The Collegium unanimously decided to transfer Justice Verma to Allahabad High Court, where he had served before being appointed to the Delhi High Court in 2021. While this move was seen as necessary to maintain public confidence in the judiciary, some members argued that it fell short of addressing the larger issue.
Calls for Stricter Measures
Several members of the Collegium suggested that Justice Verma should be asked to resign voluntarily. If he refuses, they proposed initiating an internal inquiry under the Supreme Court’s 1999 guidelines for dealing with allegations against judges. This process would involve forming a panel comprising one Supreme Court judge and two High Court Chief Justices to investigate the matter further. Depending on the findings, impeachment proceedings in Parliament could follow.
Broader Implications for Judicial Integrity
The scandal has drawn parallels with previous controversies like the 2008 “Cash-at-Door” case involving Punjab and Haryana High Court judges. Legal experts warn that incidents like these risk eroding public trust in India’s judiciary, which is already grappling with issues of transparency and accountability. Critics argue that simply transferring a judge without further investigation could set a dangerous precedent.
Who is Justice Yashwant Verma?
Justice Yashwant Verma is a seasoned jurist with roots in Uttar Pradesh. Born in Allahabad, he pursued his legal education at Allahabad University before starting his career as an advocate at Allahabad High Court. Known for his expertise in constitutional, criminal, and civil matters, he served as a judge at Allahabad High Court from 2014 before being transferred to Delhi High Court in October 2021.
Despite his distinguished career, this recent controversy has overshadowed his judicial contributions. As a senior member of the Delhi High Court Collegium, Justice Verma held significant responsibilities until this scandal emerged.
Next Steps
While Justice Verma has been transferred, calls for stricter action persist. Legal observers are closely watching whether an internal inquiry will be initiated or if Parliament will be involved in further proceedings. The controversy underscores the urgent need for robust mechanisms to ensure accountability within India’s judiciary while safeguarding its credibility.
This unfolding situation serves as a reminder of how critical transparency and ethical conduct are in maintaining public faith in democratic institutions like the judiciary.
