Key Points:
- Supreme Court’s Statement: Justice Yashwant Varma’s transfer proposal to Allahabad High Court is unrelated to the cash recovery incident at his residence.
- In-House Inquiry Initiated: Delhi HC Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya is investigating the alleged discovery of unaccounted cash.
- Collegium Decision Pending: Transfer proposal and inquiry report to be reviewed for further action.
- Judiciary Integrity Questioned: Incident leaves legal community shaken, calls for stricter measures.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued a clarification regarding the controversy surrounding Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma, whose residence was reportedly the site of a significant cash discovery. The apex court emphasized that the proposal to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court is independent of the ongoing in-house inquiry into the matter.
Cash Recovery Sparks Controversy
The incident unfolded last week when firefighters extinguishing a blaze at Justice Varma’s official residence reportedly discovered a large stash of unaccounted cash. While Justice Varma was out of town at the time, the discovery raised serious concerns within judicial circles. The matter was escalated to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, who convened an urgent meeting of the Supreme Court Collegium.
Supreme Court’s Clarification
In response to rumors linking Justice Varma’s proposed transfer to the cash recovery, the Supreme Court stated that misinformation was being spread. It clarified that the transfer proposal was examined by the Collegium on March 20 and is unrelated to the inquiry. Justice Varma, currently the second senior-most judge in the Delhi High Court, is slated to move to his parent High Court in Allahabad, where he will rank ninth in seniority.
In-House Inquiry Underway
Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya has initiated an in-house inquiry into the allegations. The inquiry process, guided by Supreme Court protocols, aims to collect evidence and information about the incident. The findings are expected to be submitted to CJI Khanna on March 21 for further examination and necessary action.
Collegium’s Next Steps
The Collegium has sought responses from consultee judges, concerned High Court Chief Justices, and Justice Varma himself regarding the transfer proposal. Once reviewed, a resolution will be passed. Reports suggest that stricter actions, including seeking Justice Varma’s resignation or initiating impeachment proceedings under Article 124(4) of the Constitution, could follow if misconduct is confirmed.
Legal Community Reacts
The incident has left members of the judiciary and legal fraternity deeply shaken. Delhi HC Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya expressed his dismay during court proceedings, calling for administrative measures to prevent such occurrences. Senior advocates echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that such incidents erode public trust in judicial integrity.
Background on Justice Yashwant Varma
Born in 1969, Justice Varma began his legal career in 1992 and served as special counsel for the Allahabad High Court before becoming a judge. He joined Delhi High Court in October 2021 after serving as a permanent judge in Allahabad High Court since 2016.
What Lies Ahead?
As both the transfer proposal and inquiry report are reviewed, all eyes are on whether stricter measures will be taken against Justice Varma. The case underscores broader concerns about accountability within India’s judiciary and raises questions about maintaining public trust in its institutions.
