The Supreme Court’s in-house committee that was formed to probe the alleged discovery of cash at Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence has indicted the tainted High Court judge. The panel has submitted its decision in its report submitted to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna.
Following the in-house panel’s indictment, Justice Varma has two visible options, either submit his resignation or face impeachment. As per media reports citing highly placed sources, in case the tainted High Court judge doesn’t submit his resignation, the in-house panel’s report will be sent to the President recommending his impeachment.
Bar and Bench citing source stated, “Report has indicted him. As per procedure, the CJI has called upon him. The first option given to him is to resign. If he resigns, it is good. If he does not, then the report will be sent to the President recommending impeachment.”
As per Bar and Bench report, Justice Varma has been given time till Friday (9th May) to submit his response to the Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. The in-house panel constituted by CJI Sanjiv Khanna included Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal High Court Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Karnataka High Court Justice Anu Sivaraman. It initiated a probe on 25th March and submitted its report to CJI Khanna on 4th of May.
The cash discovery
It all started when a fire incident led to a discovery of unaccounted cash at the residence of Justice Varma on 14th March evening. The case, however, came to media and public knowledge only days later.
As per reports, Justice Varma and his wife were not in Delhi. They were reportedly travelling in Madhya Pradesh. At the time when the fire incident broke out, only Justice Varma’s daughter and aged mother were at home. Some time later, a video surfaced in which bundles of burnt cash could be seen allegedly at Justice Varma’s residence.
Ever since Justice Varma cash discovery row, the apex Court has rightfully tackled the issue of public trust in the higher judiciary, taking several steps to overahaul the judiciary. The steps include the public declaration of the assets of the 21 Supreme Court judges as well as making the appointment process of Supreme Court and High Court judges. It also includes the appointments by the Collegium system since November 2022.
