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Reportedly, the panel would investigate the sequence of events on the night of the incident. It would also examine other aspects, including when Justice Varma was informed about the fire and his call records
Amid the ongoing cash controversy involving Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, the Supreme Court-appointed in-house committee on Tuesday, March 25, began its probe into the case.
As per media reports, the committee members visited the official residence of Justice Yashwant Varma at 30, Tughlak Crescent, at 1 PM today. The members spent nearly 45 minutes examining the room where the unaccounted cash was discovered.
The inquiry is being carried out by a three-member committee appointed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The committee comprises the following members:
The controversy erupted after a fire at the official residence of Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma led to the discovery of a substantial amount of unaccounted cash.
On March 24, the Supreme Court Collegium officially recommended the repatriation of Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, to the Allahabad High Court.
The official statement issued by the Collegium stated, "The Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings held on 20th and 24th March 2025 has recommended repatriation of Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge, High Court of Delhi, to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad."
On March 22, the Supreme Court released a video and reports related to the cash controversy. The court also disclosed the findings of an internal investigation along with Justice Yashwant Varma’s detailed response.
However, Justice Yashwant Varma in his response dismissed all the allegations, stating that neither he nor his family members had any involvement with the cash allegedly recovered from his residence.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna constituted a three-member committee to investigate allegations against Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose residence a large amount of unaccounted cash was recovered.
Recently, the top court issued a press statement addressing misinformation regarding Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose residence a large amount of unaccounted cash was recovered.
According to the press release, upon receiving the information, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court initiated the in-house inquiry procedure and began gathering evidence. It further stated that Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya would submit his report to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for further action.
"The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, who had commenced his enquiry prior to the Collegium meeting on 20 th March 2025, will be submitting his report to the Chief Justice of India today i.e. on 21 st March 2025. The report will be examined and processed for further and necessary action," the press release stated.
The Supreme Court clarified in its press statement that the proposal for the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma back to the Allahabad High Court, where he had previously served before his 2021 appointment to the Delhi High Court, is independent and separate from the in-house inquiry procedure.
"The proposal for transfer was examined by the Collegium comprising of the Chief Justice of India and four senior most Judges of the Supreme Court on 20th March 2025, and thereafter letters were written to the consultee Judges of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justices of the High Courts concerned and Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma.Responses received will be examined and, thereupon, the Collegium will pass a resolution," the press statement added.
In a related development, the High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Allahabad, has strongly objected to the Supreme Court’s decision to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma back to the Allahabad High Court following allegations of corruption. Expressing outrage, the Bar Association released a statement questioning whether the Allahabad High Court was being treated as a “trash bin” for tainted judges.
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