No FIR can be filed without the Chief Justice of India’s approval, says Amit Shah regarding the Justice Varma case. He emphasized the importance of judicial independence and due process in such matters. The statement comes amid growing debates on legal accountability and executive influence. This highlights the government’s stance on protecting judicial integrity.
New Delhi: In a public response regarding the alleged recovery of cash from Justice Yashwant Varma’s official bungalow, Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Friday that no FIR could be filed without the Chief Justice of India’s (CJI) approval.
He asserted,
“When no FIR can be registered, how can a seizure be carried out? The FIR can only be registered with the CJI’s permission.”
Speaking at the Times Now Summit 2025, Shah mentioned that a panel of judges is examining the issue and urged the public to await its findings.
Shah also addressed various topics, including the Waqf Bill, indicating that the government intends to introduce it in the current parliamentary session despite opposition from Muslim clerics, Islamic organizations, and rival political parties.
He remarked,
“(Then) Congress govt had passed the Waqf Bill in 2013 without any debate to appease a votebank. It is against the spirit of the Constitution. We are only trying to bring it in line with the Constitution.”
He criticized the existing law that prevents challenges to Waqf Board decisions in court, questioning,
“How can this be allowed? Even decisions of the govt are challenged in court,”
And accused opposition parties of misleading the Muslim community to strengthen their voter base.
Earlier, while discussing the alleged cash recovery at Justice Varma’s residence, Shah noted that Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna had acknowledged the situation in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling and established a committee of judges to conduct an inquiry.
He stated,
“Delhi Police and fire brigade are providing whatever documents are sought by the committee. They are cooperating with the inquiry.”
Shah emphasized that the committee will make a decision on the matter and will share its findings with the public, urging everyone to await the committee’s report.
Regarding Justice Varma’s transfer, Shah refrained from commenting, stating it falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court collegium. On the topic of a caste census, Shah recalled that the concept was dismissed by all previous Congress governments before 2011.
He explained,
“A socio-economic caste census was conducted in 2011 but they did nothing with it as it returned 48 lakh castes. Now, we are using technology to explore all possibilities and ways to correctly capture caste and sub-castes. As and when we take a decision on the census procedures, we will make it public,”
On delimitation, Shah reiterated the government’s commitment, assuring that “no one will have to suffer even 0.001% injustice.”
He questioned the timing of the DMK and other parties raising concerns about delimitation, especially since the government had not announced any plans or procedures related to it.
He remarked,
“DMK is trying to bring up issues like language and delimitation, anticipating defeat in the Tamil Nadu polls next year due to the corruption and chaos its govt has brought about in the state,”
Addressing Rahul Gandhi’s complaint about being unable to speak in Parliament, Shah pointed out that Congress receives nearly 40% of the time allocated for parliamentary debates.
He stated,
“He wants to speak during other members’ time. This may be OK in party office but not in Parliament that runs as per rules. As LoP, he should show respect for rules of Parliament and speak during his party’s time in debates,”
Regarding the situation in Manipur, Shah mentioned that ethnic conflicts have occurred in the past, sometimes lasting several years.
He noted,
“There is peace in Manipur for the past 7 months… Talks are being held with both communities. One round was held by MHA and another is expected soon,”
Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Shah commended the organization for training millions of Indians to make decisions while prioritizing patriotism and nationalism.