SC orders in-house probe into huge cash stash at Delhi HC judge’s residence

The Supreme Court has initiated an in-house investigation into Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma after a substantial amount of unaccounted cash was discovered at his official residence. The recovery came to light following a fire at the judge’s house, where firefighters inadvertently stumbled upon the cash stash.

The apex court has also requested a detailed report from Delhi HC Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, as confirmed by highly placed sources. In the wake of the controversy, the Supreme Court collegium has decided to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court, his parent court.

Bar and Bench, however, reported that in a full court meeting held on Friday morning, the judges collectively agreed that a punitive transfer would not suffice, and concrete action needed to be taken. The in-house probe was subsequently authorised, with the transfer being the preliminary step.

The transfer order is currently under process, awaiting clearance from the government. Meanwhile, Justice Varma did not attend court on Friday, with his staff saying he was on leave.

The Congress has expressed strong dissatisfaction with merely transferring the judge, emphasising that the discovery of such a substantial amount of cash demands a thorough investigation.

Pawan Khera, the head of the party's media and publicity department, pointed out that the issue cannot be swept under the carpet with a transfer alone. He called for a comprehensive inquiry to identify the source of the cash and to uphold public trust in the judiciary.

In a pointed remark, Khera stated that the fire brigade seems to be performing investigative duties better than agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He also stressed that Justice Varma was presiding over high-profile cases, including the Unnao rape case, and insisted that the law must be upheld impartially.

Following the incident, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna convened an urgent meeting of the five-member collegium to discuss the matter. The collegium unanimously agreed to initiate Justice Varma’s transfer to Allahabad HC as an immediate measure. Further action could follow once the government processes the recommendation.

As per the Bar and Bench report, Justice Varma, born in 1969, completed his LL.B. from Rewa University and enrolled as an advocate in 1992. He served as a special counsel for the Allahabad High Court and as chief standing counsel for the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Designated as a senior advocate in 2013, he was appointed as an additional judge in 2014 and became a permanent judge in 2016. He took office at Delhi High Court in October 2021 after his transfer from Allahabad.

As the investigation unfolds, legal experts and the public alike are keenly observing the judiciary's response to this unprecedented situation.

With agency inputs