New Delhi | June 21, 2025
The in-house inquiry committee investigating allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma has found the conduct of the police to be “slipshod” during their handling of a suspicious fire incident and large sums of unaccounted cash at his residence. However, the panel firmly rejected the claim that these procedural lapses validate Justice Varma’s assertion of being falsely implicated.
What the Committee Found
According to the report, the committee noted that:
• Delhi Police and fire officials who responded to the incident in 2023 did not formally seize or document the cash recovered, despite its presence being captured on video.
• This failure to follow protocol was called “regrettable” and unprofessional, raising serious questions about how such a sensitive scene was managed.
• Nonetheless, the inquiry clarified that this oversight does not support the claim that the money was planted or the result of a conspiracy, as argued by Justice Varma.
Defence Claims Rejected
Justice Varma had argued that the presence of currency at his premises was orchestrated to defame him, possibly in connection with internal judicial rivalries. The panel, however, found no supporting evidence:
• No complaint or FIR was filed by Justice Varma at the time.
• His delayed visit to the scene after returning from leave was deemed “unnatural”, casting doubt on his version of events.
• Video evidence from the fire rescue team showed bundles of partially burnt currency, with no signs of tampering visible.
The committee concluded that the lack of action on the part of police may have weakened the chain of custody, but it did not discredit the fact that unaccounted money was indeed found at his official residence.
Consequences & Next Steps
• The panel has recommended that the matter be escalated to Parliament for possible impeachment, citing “grave misconduct”.
• The report has already been forwarded to the Union Government by the Chief Justice of India, following standard in-house procedure.
• This may set the stage for a rare judicial impeachment motion, a process seldom invoked in Indian judicial history.
