In a significant development, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, has recommended the repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court, following the controversy surrounding the alleged discovery of a large sum of burnt cash at his Delhi bungalow. This decision comes after an investigation into the incident, which occurred on March 14, when the fire brigade responded to a blaze at Justice Varma's residence and reportedly uncovered the cash in a storeroom.
The revelation sent shockwaves through the judicial community, leading to immediate action. On March 21, CJI Khanna set up a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter and instructed the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to temporarily relieve Justice Varma of his judicial duties. Subsequently, Delhi HC's Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya issued a notice withdrawing Justice Varma’s judicial work, stating that the withdrawal would remain in effect until further orders.
The Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court was made after meetings held on March 20 and 24. In a statement issued by the apex court, it was clarified that the proposed transfer was a separate matter from the ongoing in-house inquiry into the burnt cash incident. The Collegium emphasized that the transfer process adhered to the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), which requires the CJI to consult with the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, as well as the Chief Justices of the relevant High Courts.
Justice Varma, the second most senior judge of the Delhi High Court, had a distinguished legal career. Born in January 1969, he completed his law degree from Rewa University and practiced primarily in civil law, handling a variety of matters, including constitutional, industrial disputes, corporate, taxation, and environmental law. He served as the Chief Standing Counsel for the State of Uttar Pradesh from 2012 until his elevation to Senior Advocate in August 2013. In October 2014, he was appointed an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court and later transferred to the Delhi High Court in October 2021.
The ongoing investigation into the discovery of burnt cash has raised questions about transparency and integrity within the judiciary, further amplifying scrutiny over the functioning of the judicial system. The outcome of the inquiry and Justice Varma's transfer to the Allahabad High Court are likely to have significant implications for the legal community and the future of the judge’s career.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)