A fire, a stash of burnt cash, and a High Court judge in the center of it all. Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court finds himself embroiled in a controversy that threatens to tarnish his reputation and career. But is this a case of judicial impropriety, or is Justice Yashwant Varma the victim of a carefully orchestrated conspiracy? This article delves into the details of the case, presenting both sides of the story and exploring the potential implications for the Indian judiciary.
He is Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Verma.
Recently, a fire broke out at his bungalow. The fire brigade reached the spot, and after the fire was extinguished, fire service officers discovered a huge amount of cash in different rooms of the bungalow.
After this incident, Chief… pic.twitter.com/rdIqEuAgcd
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) March 21, 2025The Fire and the Discovery
On the night of March 14, 2025, a fire broke out at Justice Yashwant Varma’s official residence in Delhi. Firefighters responding to the scene discovered a significant amount of burnt cash in a storeroom located near the staff quarters. This discovery immediately raised eyebrows, prompting an in-house inquiry initiated by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna. The CJI also requested Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya to seek a written explanation from Justice Varma regarding the presence and source of the cash.
The Supreme Court of India has uploaded a video showing burnt cash at Justice Varma’s residence.#YashwantVarma#DelhiHighCourt pic.twitter.com/eidFIWOoIa
— Ravinder Kapur. (@RavinderKapur2) March 23, 2025Justice Varma’s Defense
Justice Yashwant Varma has vehemently denied any involvement with the alleged cash, calling the incident “a conspiracy to frame and malign” him. In his response to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, he stated that neither he nor any member of his family had ever placed cash in the storeroom. He further argued that the storeroom was not part of his main residence but rather a commonly used space accessible to staff and others.
“I state unequivocally that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by me or any of my family members and strongly denounce the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to us. The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous”.
Justice Yashwant Varma also raised questions about the lack of evidence, pointing out that no sacks of burnt currency were ever recovered or shown to his staff. He expressed shock at the video and pictures shared by the Delhi Police Commissioner, which purportedly showed the cash, claiming that they depicted something that was not found on the site when he inspected it.
The Inquiry and its Implications
In light of the serious allegations, CJI Khanna constituted a three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry into the matter. As a result, the Delhi High Court has withdrawn judicial work from Justice Varma until further notice. This decision, made following a recommendation by CJI Khanna, effectively puts Justice Yashwant Varma’s judicial career on hold while the inquiry is underway. The committee comprises Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court; Justice GS Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court; and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka.
Questions and Concerns
The case raises several critical questions:
- Source of the Cash: If the cash did not belong to Justice Yashwant Varma, who did it belong to, and what was it doing in the storeroom?
- The Alleged Conspiracy: If Justice Varma is indeed being framed, who is behind the conspiracy, and what is their motive?
- Integrity of the Judiciary: How will this case impact the public’s perception of the Indian judiciary, and what measures can be taken to ensure accountability and transparency?
The Other Side of the Story
While Justice Varma maintains his innocence, the discovery of a substantial amount of burnt cash at his residence cannot be ignored. The Supreme Court Collegium had initially proposed his transfer following an adverse report about the incident. This decision, along with the ongoing inquiry, suggests that the allegations are being taken seriously by the высшие судебные органы.
Moreover, the questions posed by CJI Khanna to Justice Yashwant Varma indicate the gravity of the situation:
- How does he account for the presence of money/cash in the room located in his premises?
- Explain the source of money/cash which was found in the said room.
- Who is the person who had removed the burnt money/cash from the room in the morning of March 15?
These questions demand clear and convincing answers, and the inquiry committee will undoubtedly delve into every aspect of the case to uncover the truth.
The Justice Yashwant Varma cash controversy is a complex and sensitive issue with potentially far-reaching consequences. While Justice Varma vehemently denies any wrongdoing and claims to be the victim of a conspiracy, the discovery of burnt cash at his residence has raised serious questions about his integrity. The ongoing inquiry will play a crucial role in determining the truth and ensuring that justice is served. As the investigation unfolds, it is essential to maintain an objective perspective, consider all sides of the story, and uphold the principles of fairness and transparency.
FAQ
Who is Justice Yashwant Varma?
Justice Yashwant Varma is a judge at the Delhi High Court. He was appointed in October 2021 and has been recently embroiled in a controversy involving the discovery of burnt cash at his residence.
What happened at Justice Varma’s residence?
On March 14, 2025, a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi. Firefighters discovered a significant amount of burnt cash in a storeroom on the property.
What is Justice Varma’s response to the allegations?
Justice Varma has denied any involvement with the cash, calling the incident a conspiracy to frame him. He claims that the storeroom was accessible to many people and that he and his family had no knowledge of the cash.
What is the status of the investigation?
The Chief Justice of India has formed a three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry into the allegations. The Delhi High Court has also withdrawn judicial work from Justice Varma until further notice.
What are the key questions being investigated?
The inquiry is focused on determining the source of the cash, whether there was a conspiracy to frame Justice Varma, and whether there was any misconduct on his part.
What is the significance of this case?
This case is significant because it involves allegations against a High Court judge, which could have implications for the integrity and reputation of the Indian judiciary.
What could be the outcome of the inquiry?
The outcome of the inquiry could range from Justice Varma being cleared of all charges to facing disciplinary action or even criminal charges, depending on the findings of the committee.
Where was Justice Varma during the fire?
Justice Varma said that he and his wife were traveling in Madhya Pradesh when the fire occurred and they returned to Delhi only on March 15 evening.
