A high-profile investigation into the alleged recovery and subsequent burning of cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma has hit significant roadblocks, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the judiciary.
Despite Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna’s swift order to probe the matter, the inquiry is expected to stretch on due to the sheer number of people involved and the technical expertise required to analyze key evidence—especially the judge’s phone call data records.
A three-member panel of senior judges—Sheel Nagu from Punjab & Haryana High Court, G S Sandhawalia from Himachal Pradesh, and Anu Sivaraman from Karnataka—is leading the probe. However, their task appears increasingly difficult as they must examine multiple personnel, including security staff, domestic help, and even fire officials who were at the judge’s home the night the alleged cash burning occurred.
One figure drawing particular attention is the Delhi fire chief. He initially claimed that no cash was found at the site. But this statement contradicts reports and visuals shared by first responders, including a video showing burnt currency. The panel is now considering summoning the fire chief to explain his U-turn—raising eyebrows over whether his shifting stance is part of a wider cover-up.
Security staff have also come under suspicion for allegedly removing “half-burnt debris” from the site, a charge Judge Varma has denied. The team will also examine the judge’s personal staff, including assistants and workers stationed at his residence over the past six months.
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Adding to the complexity is the role of forensic experts. They are expected to verify the authenticity of the video footage showing the burnt cash and match the visuals with the exact location inside the judge’s residence. In addition, tech experts will analyze the call records of phones used by Justice Varma, who has been warned not to delete any data from his devices.
The Delhi Police’s report claimed that the storeroom—where the fire occurred—was always kept locked. But Justice Varma countered that the room was routinely accessed by gardeners, PWD workers, and servants, and was used to store unwanted household items.
In a surprising twist, the Delhi High Court’s own Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay found no proof of unauthorized access to the room and recommended a deeper investigation, acknowledging that many facts simply don’t add up.
Meanwhile, despite the ongoing inquiry, Justice Varma’s name still appeared on court lists for hearings as late as Sunday night, further fueling public concern over how seriously the judiciary is treating the matter.
The case continues to highlight glaring holes in internal accountability and casts a shadow on the credibility of statements made by high-ranking officials. As the probe lingers, the public is left wondering: Will the truth be uncovered—or buried under procedure and silence?
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