SC Panel: Burnt Cash Storeroom Was Under 'Active Control' of Justice Yashwant Varma and Family
It has been further stated by the panel that some evidences even indicate removal of the burnt cash from the storeroom on May 15, after fire incident came to light;
In a significant development, Supreme Court appointed panel which indicted Justice Yashwant Varma in cash probe, has revealed that the access to storeroom where burnt cash was found was under the “active control” of the judge and his family.
It has been further stated by the panel that some evidences even indicate removal of the burnt cash from the storeroom on May 15, after fire incident came to light.
Earlier, the Top Court refused to provide information in an RTI application seeking copy of the inhouse inquiry report against Justice Yashwant Varma.
A petition seeking registration of FIR against the judge was also turned down by the apex court observing that since the report of the panel has been forwarded to the President, and the necessary proceedings are in loop, a representation may be filed in the said regard and if not appropriately met, the petitioner may approach the Court.
The said petition was filed in the wake of Justice Varma’s indictment following the recovery of large sums of unaccounted cash from his official residence and the forwarding of an in-house committee report to the President by the outgoing Chief Justice of India.
Petitioners invoked Art. 32 of the Constitution, raising concerns over delay in initiating criminal proceedings and preservation of crucial evidence.
Justice Yashwant Varma had refused to put in resignation following his indictment by the panel set up under the supervision of the Top Court.
On May 8, Former CJI Sanjiv Khanna forwarded the report submitted by 3-member committee to the President of India.
The panel submitted its report to the outgoing CJI on May 4, indicting Justice Varma.