By The Sampadak Express
A Supreme Court-appointed in-house committee has confirmed the recovery of cash at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma during a fire incident on the night of March 14. The confidential report was submitted to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and subsequently shared with Justice Varma for his response.
According to sources, Justice Varma has been granted two days to respond to the committee’s findings. This step, officials say, is in line with principles of natural justice, ensuring he has an opportunity to present his version before any further action is considered.
Highly placed sources told that Justice Varma, currently serving at the Allahabad High Court, has been given the option to voluntarily resign. If he declines, an impeachment process may be considered.
CJI Khanna, who is due to retire next week, is expected to make a final decision before demitting office. The matter is likely to be one of the last significant decisions of his tenure. Ahead of Monday’s court proceedings, the CJI reportedly met with fellow Supreme Court judges, potentially to brief them on the inquiry findings.
Inquiry Details and Evidence
The committee’s detailed report reconstructs the events of March 14–15, including the fire at Justice Varma’s Delhi home, the subsequent emergency response, and the discovery of burnt currency. The panel recorded testimonies from Justice Varma, his household staff, fire and police officials, as well as senior judicial officers who visited the scene.
The evidence includes photos and videos of the partially burnt cash, forensic analysis, and visual documentation by judges who examined the site.
Officials emphasize that the report is a fact-finding exercise and does not carry binding legal consequences. However, it provides the factual basis for any disciplinary or administrative actions that may follow.
Background and Transfer
Justice Varma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court shortly after the incident. The Supreme Court clarified that the transfer was an administrative step and not related to the ongoing inquiry.
The three-member inquiry panel, constituted on March 22 by CJI Khanna, includes Chief Justice Sheel Nagu (Punjab & Haryana High Court), Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh High Court), and Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court).
The cash discovery was made after a fire broke out in a storeroom at Justice Varma’s residence. Footage of the damaged currency circulated online, fueling allegations of corruption and prompting calls for an investigation.
Justice Varma is expected to submit his official response by the end of the week.
