Justice Yashwant Varma Faces Ouster After Inquiry Finds Cash Pile, ‘Unnatural Conduct’.
A Supreme Court-appointed inquiry panel has recommended the removal of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, citing “sufficient substance” in allegations that a large stash of cash was found at his residence — a discovery he failed to report to authorities.
The panel’s report, based on testimonies from 55 witnesses, visual evidence, and official accounts, revealed that a significant amount of Rs 500 currency notes, some partially burnt, were seen scattered across a storeroom floor in the judge’s Delhi home following a fire in March. Despite this, neither Justice Varma nor his family informed the police or judicial leadership.
“The judge’s failure to file a complaint or notify authorities is unnatural,” the report stated. “His claim of ignorance is implausible.”
The storeroom where the notes were found was reportedly accessible only to Justice Varma and his family. The cash later disappeared after the room was cleaned out. A private secretary allegedly instructed fire officials to omit any mention of the money from their official report, while a superior officer reportedly told fire personnel to drop the matter, citing the involvement of “higher-ups.”
While household staff denied seeing the currency, the panel found the accounts of police and fire personnel more credible, supported by videos and photos. One witness described being “shocked” by the volume of cash, saying it was unlike anything they had ever seen.
The report also flagged potential roles of the judge’s daughter, Diya Varma, and secretary Rajinder Singh Karki, in possibly tampering with evidence or cleaning the site after the incident. Justice Varma claimed the episode was a conspiracy to defame him, but the panel dismissed this, citing multiple independent witnesses and real-time recordings of the scene.
“Currency notes were seen and documented by credible, independent sources. The theory of a frame-up is highly unlikely,” the report said.
The inquiry, prompted by the March fire, marks one of the most serious misconduct cases involving a sitting High Court judge. Justice Varma has since been transferred back to the Allahabad High Court, where he has not been assigned any judicial duties. He continues to deny wrongdoing and has not resigned or opted for voluntary retirement.
The panel concluded that his continued presence in office undermines public confidence in the judiciary and called for removal proceedings to be initiated.
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