Atul Garg appeared before the committee at Haryana State Guest House in Chanakyapuri and recorded his statement regarding the alleged incident.
NEW DELHI: A Supreme Court-appointed three-member inquiry panel is investigating claims about a large amount of cash allegedly found at the residence of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma. The panel met Delhi Fire Services Chief Atul Garg on Thursday as part of its probe.
According to sources, Atul Garg appeared before the committee at Haryana State Guest House in Chanakyapuri and recorded his statement regarding the alleged incident. However, he has completely denied any claims about firefighters discovering cash at Justice Varma’s house.
Bar Associations Seek Transfer Withdrawal
Earlier on the same day, leaders from six High Court bar associations met Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna. They urged him to withdraw the recommendation to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court.
After the meeting, Allahabad High Court Bar Association (AHCBA) President Anil Tiwari stated, “The CJI had assured them of considering the demands.”
However, sources present at the meeting clarified that the CJI did not promise anything.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court to Hear Plea Seeking FIR Against Justice Yashwant Varma Today
In an unusual move, the Supreme Court released the in-house inquiry report, including photos and videos, on its official website late on Saturday night. The report pertains to the allegations of a huge cash stash at Justice Varma’s residence.
The controversy arose after a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s home in Lutyens’ Delhi around 11:35 pm on March 14. Fire officials rushed to the location, and soon after, reports surfaced about cash being found there.
Following the incident, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended sending Justice Varma back to his parent Allahabad High Court. This decision came after Chief Justice of India (CJI) directed the Delhi High Court to withdraw work from him.
On March 22, CJI Sanjiv Khanna set up the three-member panel to conduct an in-house inquiry into the allegations. The Supreme Court also decided to publish the inquiry report submitted by Chief Justice D K Upadhyay of the Delhi High Court.
Justice Yashwant Varma has strongly refuted all allegations, stating that neither he nor his family members ever placed any cash in the storeroom.
“No cash was ever placed in the storeroom either by me or any of my family members,” he said.
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