In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court of India released reports and documents related to the discovery of unaccounted cash at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court. The documents include photos, videos, and the inquiry report by Delhi High Court Chief Justice, as well as Justice Varma’s response.
The incident, which occurred on March 14, involved a fire at a storeroom in Justice Varma’s official residence. Videos shared by the Delhi Police showed sacks of cash, some of which were burned.
The Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, after investigating, reported that access to the storeroom was limited to those residing at the bungalow, including servants and CPWD personnel. Justice Varma, who was not at home during the incident, expressed concerns about a possible conspiracy against him when shown images from the police.
Justice Varma denied storing any cash in the storeroom, claiming the room was used for storing unused furniture and other items. He suggested that the alleged discovery of cash was part of a plot to frame him, pointing out that no cash was found when authorities visited the site. He also refuted earlier media reports and emphasized that all his financial transactions were conducted through proper banking channels.
Following the report, CJI Sanjiv Khanna set up a three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry. The committee includes Chief Justices from the Punjab & Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka High Courts. Additionally, Justice Varma has been relieved of any judicial duties pending the investigation.
