Could Cash Discovered at Judge's Residence Lead to Prosecution of Justice Varma?

New Delhi, May 19 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has consented to schedule an urgent hearing regarding a petition calling for the criminal prosecution of Justice Yashwant Varma. This comes amidst a controversy relating to the alleged discovery of a significant amount of burnt cash in the storeroom of his bungalow in the national capital, following a fire brigade's intervention on March 14 to extinguish a blaze.

During proceedings, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih informed lead petitioner, advocate Mathews J. Nedumpara, that the matter could be scheduled for hearing tomorrow.

However, when Nedumpara indicated his unavailability for Tuesday, the bench led by CJI Gavai agreed to postpone the hearing to Wednesday, noting that the urgent listing is contingent upon rectifying the deficiencies highlighted by the apex court registry.

Previously, the CJI Gavai's bench had advised Nedumpara to adhere to the proper “mentioning procedure” for urgent hearings, which involves emailing the apex court registry.

The petition asserts that if Justice Varma has indeed engaged in accumulating wealth via corrupt means, an impeachment alone would not suffice. The petition emphasizes, “What has transpired is a serious crime against public justice. When a judge, the very defender of justice, becomes the accused, the severity of the offence escalates, necessitating appropriate punishment. It is crucial that criminal proceedings commence, and a thorough investigation is conducted to determine the identities of those who provided bribes and the circumstances surrounding the purchase of justice.”

The plea further notes, “The substantial amounts of cash that were either burned or removed clandestinely can only be interpreted as bribes—an act punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The absence of an official explanation regarding the non-registration of an FIR raises serious concerns about a potential cover-up.”

Earlier, in March, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan dismissed another petition from the same group of petitioners that sought a directive for the Delhi Police to file an FIR and pursue a thorough investigation into the cash discovery allegations.

Justice Oka's bench remarked, “The ongoing ‘in-house’ inquiry might lead to an FIR being directed if wrongdoing is found. Today is not the right time to discuss the FIR registration.”

The petition raises concerns about the delay in registering an FIR on March 14, the day the unaccounted cash was reportedly discovered, suggesting that this indicates an attempt to conceal information.

Following the startling cash discovery, former CJI Sanjiv Khanna established a three-member committee to investigate Justice Varma.

While the in-house inquiry proceeds, Justice Varma has been transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court.

The Supreme Court Collegium had previously recommended that the Centre return Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court.

Last week, ex-CJI Khanna submitted the report from the court-appointed inquiry panel to the President and Prime Minister of India.

A press release from the apex court dated May 8 states, “The Chief Justice of India has communicated to the Hon’ble President of India and Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, attaching a copy of the three-member committee report dated 03.05.2025, along with the response from Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma dated 06.05.2025.”