At around 11 AM, a Delhi High Court official announced that Justice Yashwant Varma’s division bench was on leave for the day. Lawyers were informed that urgent matters could be mentioned before another bench.
NEW DELHI: A senior lawyer expressed deep shock and sadness in the Delhi High Court on Friday over reports of a massive cash recovery from the home of Justice Yashwant Varma. The judge did not attend court proceedings that day.
The issue was mentioned before a bench led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. Senior advocate Arun Bhardwaj requested that steps be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
He stated, “We respect the system a lot. Each of the judges are respected a lot. We are shaken my lords, and demoralised. Please take some steps. I am not expressing my pain any further, and I am sure I am expressing the pain of many of my brothers. Please take some steps to see that such incidents do not happen.”
Chief Justice Upadhyaya shared the sentiment, responding,
“So is everybody. We are conscious.”
At around 11 AM, a Delhi High Court official announced that Justice Yashwant Varma’s division bench was on leave for the day. Lawyers were informed that urgent matters could be mentioned before another bench.
Reports indicate that the Supreme Court Collegium has decided to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court, his parent court, following allegations that a huge pile of cash was found at his official residence. The incident reportedly came to light after a fire broke out at the bungalow.
On March 14, 2025, a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s bungalow in Delhi while he was away. His family alerted the fire brigade and police. After extinguishing the fire, responders discovered a large sum of cash in one of the rooms. This finding was officially recorded and reported to higher authorities, eventually reaching Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna.
The controversy reached the Rajya Sabha, where Congress MP Jairam Ramesh highlighted the matter and emphasized the need for judicial accountability.
He said, “This morning, we have read about a shocking case of huge amounts of cash unearthed at the residence of a judge of the Delhi high court.”
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar acknowledged the gravity of the situation and questioned why the information did not surface immediately.
He remarked, “Bothers me is that the incident happened but did not come to light immediately.”
Dhankhar further pointed out that if such an incident had involved a politician, bureaucrat, or industrialist, they would have faced immediate scrutiny.
He said, “And, therefore, systemic response, which is transparent, accountable, effective, I am sure will be on the way.”
To ensure a structured discussion on the matter, Dhankhar assured the House that he would engage with the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition.
He stated, “I will get in touch with the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition and find a mechanism for a structured discussion during the course of the session.”
Regarding an impeachment notice for a judge from the Allahabad High Court, the chairman confirmed that he had received a request from 55 Rajya Sabha members.
Kapil Sibal Slams Judicial Corruption On Justice Varma’s Transfer By CJI
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court to his parent High Court in Allahabad.
This decision came after a negative report was received against him. The matter has become important and serious, and many people are now talking about it.
Kapil Sibal, a senior advocate and also a Rajya Sabha MP, has spoken strongly on this topic. He said that corruption in the Indian judicial system is a matter of great concern and should not be taken lightly. In his words-
“The issue of corruption within the judiciary is a very serious issue.”
He also shared that this is not a new problem. Many senior lawyers and legal experts have been talking about this for a long time.
He pointed out-
“This is not something that has been articulated by senior councils and lawyers in the country for the first time. It has been going on for years.”
Sibal believes that now is the right time for the Supreme Court to seriously think about how judges are appointed in the country. According to him, the system of appointing judges should be made more clear and fair.
He said-
“It is time for the Supreme Court to start looking at issues of how the appointment process takes place. The appointment process should be more transparent and carefully done.”
He also criticised the current situation of corruption and disagreed with Prime Minister Modi’s views. Sibal claimed that instead of going down, corruption has actually grown.
As he said-
“Corruption is a very serious issue and despite what PM Modi has said the corruption has increased.”
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