In a sensational turn of events, authorities transferred Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma to Allahabad High Court after discovering a massive stash of cash at his official residence following a fire. The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, made the recommendation following an adverse report.
Fire at Bungalow Exposes Hidden Fortune!
A mysterious fire broke out at Justice Varma’s bungalow in Delhi while he was out of the city. His family alerted the fire brigade and police, but when firefighters doused the flames, they stumbled upon a huge pile of cash hidden inside one of the rooms. Officials recorded the discovery of the unaccounted money, sparking a major controversy.
Reports indicate that officials found cash in multiple rooms but have not yet disclosed the exact amount. However, sources suggest the sum could be in the crores. Authorities suspect the fire was accidental, but it has now triggered a larger investigation into the source of the recovered cash.
Supreme Court Collegium Takes Swift Action
The Supreme Court Collegium wasted no time and transferred Justice Varma back to the Allahabad High Court. However, some Collegium members demanded stricter action, urging CJI Khanna to seek Justice Varma’s resignation. They even recommended setting up an in-house inquiry committee if he refused to step down.
The transfer recommendation was sent to the Central Government, which will now take further action. Reports indicate that if Justice Varma does not voluntarily resign, the in-house committee could be the first step toward his removal—a rare occurrence in India’s judicial history.
Who is Justice Yashwant Varma?
- Born: January 6, 1969, in Allahabad
- Education: BCom (Hons) from Hansraj College, Delhi University; LLB from Rewa University, MP
- Legal Career: Enrolled as an advocate in 1992, specializing in constitutional law, corporate laws, taxation, and labor laws
- Special Counsel: Served for Allahabad High Court (2006-2014)
- Judicial Tenure: Appointed as Allahabad HC judge in 2014, made permanent in 2016, transferred to Delhi HC in 2021
- Government Roles: Held the position of Chief Standing Counsel for Uttar Pradesh (2012-2013) before being designated as Senior Advocate
Will There Be a Deeper Investigation?
With the unaccounted cash discovery, calls for a full-fledged probe are growing louder. The legal process for dealing with corruption allegations against sitting judges follows a strict protocol:
- CJI Seeks Explanation: If the response from Justice Varma is deemed unsatisfactory, further action is taken.
- In-House Inquiry Committee: Headed by a Supreme Court judge and two high court chief justices, this committee investigates allegations.
- Possible Removal: If misconduct is proven, the process for removal by Parliamentary impeachment begins—a rare and complex process.
Reports suggest that law enforcement agencies may also launch a parallel investigation into the source of the cash and potential financial irregularities linked to Justice Varma.
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Legal & Public Reactions
The case has sent shockwaves across the legal community. Senior advocates, former judges, and legal experts have called for a transparent probe, emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of India’s judiciary.
What happens next? Will Justice Varma resign, or will this case set a new legal precedent? The legal fraternity and public are watching closely as this high-profile case unfolds in real-time.
