Supreme Court Confirms Cash Discovery in Justice Varma’s Bungalow Amid Fire Incident

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has officially acknowledged the discovery of cash at the official residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, a judge of the Delhi High Court, during a fire that occurred on March 14, 2023. The High Court’s internal report, requested by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, prompted the Supreme Court to delve deeper into the events surrounding the incident. The Supreme Court stated that a three-member committee has been appointed to investigate the allegations against Justice Varma, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

Key Findings from the Internal Inquiry

• The inquiry report, released by the Supreme Court, notes that Chief Justice Upadhyaya asked Justice Varma to clarify the presence of cash in his official bungalow.
• Photographs and videos shared by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora reveal a firefighter recovering charred bundles of cash from the scene.
• The incident has gained significant media attention, with video clips showing a witness expressing shock over the fire consuming currency notes featuring Mahatma Gandhi’s likeness.

Justice Varma’s Official Response

• Justice Varma has responded to the allegations, assuring Chief Justice Upadhyaya that no cash was found in the areas occupied by his family.
• He has called for a fair assessment of the situation, asserting that the cash discovery does not implicate him in any wrongdoing.
• The Supreme Court has suspended Justice Varma from judicial duties pending the inquiry results.

Formation of a Three-Member Committee

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna constituted a committee to investigate the matter further, comprising:

• Justice Sheel Nagu – Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana
• Justice G.S. Sandhawalia – Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh
• Ms. Anu Sivaraman – Judge of the High Court of Karnataka

The Supreme Court reiterated that the committee’s formation is independent and separate from the ongoing inquiry initiated by the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.

Next Steps and Updates

• The Supreme Court has stated that all findings, including the reports from the Chief Justice of the High Court and Justice Varma’s responses, will be made publicly available.
• A proposal for Justice Varma’s reassignment to the Allahabad High Court has been submitted, indicating ongoing judicial processes amid the inquiry.
• The situation remains fluid with ongoing discussions and evaluations regarding the allegations and responses from various judicial figures.

In conclusion, the events surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma’s official residence during the fire incident have drawn substantial scrutiny. As a result, the Supreme Court’s investigation aims to ensure transparency and accountability within India’s judiciary. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for Justice Varma and the broader legal community.

Keywords: Justice Yashwant Varma, Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, fire incident, internal inquiry, cash discovery, judicial accountability, Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya.

Hashtags: #JusticeVarma #SupremeCourt #DelhiHighCourt #JudicialInquiry #Accountability #LegalNews #India

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