Supreme Court Releases Inquiry Report on Cash Discovery at Justice Yashwant Varma’s Residence Following Fire Incident

Supreme Court Releases Inquiry Report on Cash Discovery at Justice Yashwant Varma’s Residence Following Fire Incident

New Delhi, March 23, 2025: In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has published an in-house inquiry report detailing the discovery of a substantial amount of cash at the official residence of Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma. The cash was uncovered by firefighters responding to a fire that broke out at the judge’s bungalow on March 14, 2025.

Fire Incident Leads to Uncovering of Cash

On March 14, a fire erupted at Justice Varma’s official residence in New Delhi. While Justice Varma was reportedly away at the time, his family members alerted the fire department. Firefighters, upon extinguishing the blaze, discovered large stacks of semi-burnt Indian currency notes in one of the rooms. The discovery was documented, and senior police officials were notified.

Video footage released by the Supreme Court shows firefighters retrieving half-burnt wads of cash stored in plastic bags. In the video, a voice is heard remarking, “Mahatma Gandhi mein aag lag gayi,” referring to the burning currency bearing Gandhi’s image.

Supreme Court’s Response and Transfer Order

In response to the incident, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna convened an emergency meeting of the Supreme Court Collegium. The Collegium unanimously decided to transfer Justice Varma back to his parent High Court in Allahabad. This decision was made after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the cash discovery and considering the potential implications for the judiciary’s integrity.

The Supreme Court’s official statement clarified that the transfer proposal is separate from the in-house inquiry initiated by the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. The statement also addressed misinformation regarding the incident, emphasizing that the transfer decision was based on the facts presented.

Justice Varma’s Response

Justice Varma has categorically denied any involvement with the cash found at his residence. In his response to the allegations, he stated, “No currency was recovered from the premises that we actually occupy and use as a family.” He expressed deep distress over the damage to his reputation, asserting that the allegations are part of a conspiracy to malign him. He further emphasized that his integrity had never been questioned throughout his judicial career.

In-House Inquiry and Further Actions

The Supreme Court has constituted a three-member committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations against Justice Varma. The committee comprises Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Justice Anu Sivaraman of the Karnataka High Court. The committee’s mandate is to examine the circumstances leading to the cash discovery and determine any potential misconduct.

The Supreme Court has also released videos and photographs related to the incident, aiming to maintain transparency in the investigation process. These materials, purportedly shared by the Delhi Police Commissioner with the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, are now available on the Supreme Court’s official website.

Implications for the Judiciary

This incident has raised serious concerns about judicial integrity and accountability. The discovery of unaccounted cash at a sitting judge’s residence has sparked debates within legal circles and the general public. The swift actions taken by the Supreme Court, including the transfer of Justice Varma and the initiation of an in-house inquiry, reflect the judiciary’s commitment to uphold its credibility and address allegations of misconduct promptly.

Legal experts have noted that while transfers are administrative measures, they do not preclude further disciplinary actions if the inquiry finds evidence of misconduct. The judiciary’s approach in handling this matter will be closely watched as it navigates the balance between maintaining public trust and ensuring fair treatment of its members.

The fire at Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence and the subsequent discovery of cash have led to significant developments, including his transfer and the initiation of an in-house inquiry. As the investigation progresses, the judiciary’s handling of the situation will play a crucial role in reinforcing its commitment to transparency and integrity. The legal community and the public await the findings of the inquiry committee to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this incident.