'Cheap Publicity' to 'Wild Witch Hunt': Delhi HC Dismisses CBI Probe Plea Against Justice Yashwant Varma

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking registration of an FIR and a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the alleged discovery of cash at the official residence of former judge Justice Yashwant Varma.

Justice Amit Bansal termed the petition filed by advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay a “wild witch hunt” and questioned the petitioner’s locus as well as his decision to approach the High Court directly. The Court pointed out that the petitioner had alternative remedies available, including approaching the Delhi Police and, thereafter, the competent magistrate.

The plea arose from the controversy that began after a fire broke out during the intervening night of March 14-15, 2025, at a storeroom/outhouse at Justice Varma’s official residence at Tughlak Crescent in New Delhi. Partly burnt currency notes were reportedly found at the premises during the firefighting operation. Justice Varma was subsequently transferred to the Allahabad High Court and ceased to discharge judicial functions.

Recently, Supreme Court also dismissed a plea seeking registration of an FIR and a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against Justice Varma, observing that the petition appeared to be aimed at “cheap publicity.” The Bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe refused to entertain the plea filed by advocate Ghanshyam Upadhayay, who sought criminal action against Varma in connection with the alleged discovery of semi-burnt and unburnt currency notes following a fire at his official residence in Lutyens’ Delhi on March 14, 2025.

Notably, the Inquiry Committee examining allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma has held all three Articles of Charge against him proved, recording that substantial unexplained currency notes were found within his official residential premises, material evidence was not preserved and the Judge’s explanations were evasive and unsatisfactory.

The report, comprising Volumes 1 and 2 in Hindi and English, will be laid before the House along with the oral and documentary evidence recorded during the course of the inquiry. The report is being tabled by the Secretary General under Section 4(3) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, read with Rules 9 and 10 of the Judges (Inquiry) Rules, 1969.

In one of its observations, the Committee has said that Justice Varma’s “whole defence is false and adds to grave suspicion against him”, while examining his response to the failure to secure the currency notes and preserve the scene after the fire at his official residence.

The Committee comprising Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar, the-then Bombay High Court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Senior Advocate B.V. Acharya submitted its report after examining the evidence concerning the fire at 30, Tughlaq Crescent, New Delhi, and the subsequent discovery of currency notes in a storeroom there.

The alleged cash discovery dates back to March 14, 2025, when a fire broke out at Justice Varma's official residence in New Delhi. Justice Varma was not present at the residence at the time. During the firefighting operation, semi-burnt wads of currency notes were reportedly discovered at the premises. The incident subsequently triggered an inquiry into allegations concerning the presence of cash at the judge's residence.

Justice Varma was thereafter transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court amid the controversy and took oath there on April 5, 2025. He subsequently resigned from judicial office on April 19, 2025.

On August 12, 2025, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, had constituted a three-member inquiry committee after receiving a motion signed by 146 Members of Parliament seeking Justice Varma's removal. Presiding Officer of Judges Inquiry Committee were Hon'ble Justice Aravind Kumar, Supreme Court of India along with Hon'ble Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, the then-Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court; and Shri B.V. Acharya, Senior Advocate, Karnataka High Court. They presented the Report of Judges Inquiry Committee to Honble Speaker, Lok Sabha in Parliament House on 18 May 2026.

Separately, the Supreme Court had earlier constituted a three-member judicial inquiry panel to examine the allegations surrounding the cash discovery. The judicial panel examined more than 55 witnesses during its inquiry and reportedly found substance in the allegations concerning the presence of burnt and unburnt cash at Justice Varma's residence. The panel's findings ultimately led to a recommendation for Justice Varma's removal on grounds of misconduct.

The inquiry had also examined the circumstances surrounding the storeroom where the burnt cash was discovered. More recently, findings of the Supreme Court-appointed panel indicated that access to the storeroom was under the active control of Justice Varma and his family.