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Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma Withdrawn from Judicial Duties Amid Controversy
Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court has had his judicial responsibilities suspended immediately following allegations of unaccounted currency being discovered at his residential premises, prompting a Supreme Court-ordered inquiry.
Lead: In a significant development, Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court has had all judicial work withdrawn from him immediately due to a controversy involving alleged unaccounted currency found at his residence. The decision was made following directions from the Supreme Court, which has also established a three-member committee to investigate these allegations. This move comes amid heightened scrutiny over judicial integrity and accountability in India.
Key Developments in the Controversy
– **Withdrawal of Judicial Duties**: The Delhi High Court issued an official notice stating, “In view of recent events, the judicial work from Hon’ble Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma is withdrawn with immediate effect, till further orders.”
– **Supreme Court Intervention**: The Supreme Court has explicitly instructed the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court not to assign any judicial responsibilities to Justice Varma at this time.
– **Inquiry Committee Formation**: A three-member committee has been constituted to conduct an inquiry into the allegations against Justice Varma. The committee members include:
– Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court
– Justice GS Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh
– Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka
Justice Varma’s Response
– Justice Varma has categorically denied all allegations made against him. In a response to Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya, he alleged that there is a conspiracy aimed at framing him.
– He refuted claims regarding the discovery of cash in his premises, clarifying that the room where a fire incident occurred is a storeroom separate from his official residence and claimed no cash has ever been found there.
Implications of the Allegations
– **Impact on Judicial Credibility**: The incident raises serious questions about judicial accountability and the standards of proof required in allegations against judges.
– **Public and Legal Community Reaction**: The controversy has attracted widespread attention from both the public and legal experts, highlighting the need for transparent investigations in cases involving judicial officials.
Conclusion: The withdrawal of Justice Yashwant Varma from his judicial duties underscores the ongoing efforts to maintain integrity within the Indian judiciary. As the inquiry unfolds, both the legal community and the public await clarity on these serious allegations.
Keywords: Justice Yashwant Varma, Delhi High Court, judicial duties, unaccounted currency, Supreme Court, inquiry committee, judicial accountability, legal community.
Hashtags: #JusticeYashwantVarma #DelhiHighCourt #JudicialIntegrity #SupremeCourt #LegalNews
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