Justice Yashwant Varma’s Residence Fire Leads to Discovery of Unaccounted Cash, Sparks Judicial Inquiry

A significant controversy has erupted following the discovery of unaccounted cash at the official residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, a judge of the Delhi High Court, after a fire broke out at his Tughlak Road residence late at night on March 14. The incident has led to a swift response from the Supreme Court Collegium, which has since issued a resolution recommending his repatriation to the Allahabad High Court, his parent high court.

Discovery of Unaccounted Cash Amid Fire Incident

According to official reports, the fire broke out at around 11:35 PM on March 14, prompting emergency responders, including personnel from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) and possibly the police, to rush to the scene. During their efforts to extinguish the blaze and assess the extent of the damage, responders stumbled upon a large amount of cash stacked in the storeroom of Justice Varma’s residence. Some of the currency notes were reportedly charred by the fire.

At the time of the incident, Justice Varma and his wife were not present at the residence, as they were in Bhopal. The discovery of such a large sum of unaccounted cash immediately raised concerns, prompting calls for an investigation into the origins of the money and potential implications of financial misconduct.

Justice Varma Denies Allegations, Claims Conspiracy

In response to the growing controversy, Justice Yashwant Varma has categorically denied any connection to the discovered cash. He has described the situation as a “conspiracy to malign” him, emphasizing that he is being framed. Despite his assertions of innocence, the judicial and legal community has expressed concerns about the potential ramifications of this discovery.

Supreme Court Collegium’s Decision on Transfer

In light of these developments, the Supreme Court Collegium convened on March 20 to deliberate on the matter. The Collegium unanimously recommended transferring Justice Varma back to the Allahabad High Court. However, during discussions, several members of the Collegium debated whether a simple transfer was a sufficient course of action given the gravity of the allegations.

At least two members of the Collegium expressed strong opinions that merely repatriating Justice Varma would not adequately address the situation. One member insisted that he should be stripped of judicial responsibilities immediately, while another called for a formal investigation to uphold institutional accountability. The concerns raised reflected the judicial system’s commitment to maintaining transparency and integrity within its ranks.

Allahabad High Court Bar Association’s Strong Opposition

The decision to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court has not been without controversy. The Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) has strongly opposed the move, questioning whether the Allahabad High Court was being treated as a “trash bin” for judges facing serious allegations.

In an official letter, the HCBA emphasized that corruption in any form is unacceptable and criticized the Collegium’s decision. The association stated that it was “taken aback” by the decision and urged the authorities to consider stricter measures rather than a mere transfer.

Formation of a Judicial Inquiry Committee

Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna took further steps on March 22 by constituting a three-member committee to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter. The committee has been tasked with investigating the source of the discovered cash, any potential financial irregularities, and whether there are grounds for disciplinary or legal action against Justice Varma.

Justice Yashwant Varma’s Judicial Career

Justice Yashwant Varma was first appointed as a judge at the Allahabad High Court in 2016. After serving there for several years, he was transferred to the Delhi High Court in October 2021. Prior to his elevation as a judge, he held a prominent legal career, serving as standing counsel for the Uttar Pradesh government. His judicial tenure has largely been regarded as professional and principled until the recent controversy.

Looking Ahead: The Impact on Judicial Accountability

The discovery of unaccounted cash at a sitting judge’s residence and the subsequent developments have triggered widespread discussions on judicial ethics and accountability. The incident has raised critical questions about financial transparency within the judiciary and how allegations of misconduct should be handled. The ongoing inquiry, led by the Supreme Court’s appointed committee, is expected to shed further light on the case and determine the appropriate course of action.

As the investigation continues, the judicial community and the public alike will be closely watching how the case unfolds. Whether the findings will exonerate Justice Varma or lead to further disciplinary actions remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the case has placed a renewed focus on upholding the integrity of India’s judiciary.