NEW DELHI – A staggering discovery of approximately Rs 15 crore in unaccounted cash at the official residence of Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma has sent shockwaves through India’s judiciary. The incident, uncovered in the aftermath of a fire on March 14, 2025, has sparked an internal investigation, a judicial transfer, and renewed calls for transparency in the appointment of judges. As the nation grapples with this unprecedented scandal, questions about judicial accountability and integrity have taken center stage.
Fire Leads to Shocking Revelation
The saga began on March 14, 2025, when a fire broke out at Justice Yashwant Varma’s official bungalow in New Delhi. Emergency responders, tasked with extinguishing the blaze, stumbled upon a massive stash of cash hidden in one of the rooms. Initial estimates peg the amount at Rs 15 crore, though the exact figure remains unconfirmed. At the time of the incident, Justice Varma was reportedly out of town, leaving the discovery to unfold in his absence.
The unaccounted cash has raised eyebrows, not only due to its sheer volume but also because of the implications it carries for a sitting High Court judge. The judiciary, often seen as a pillar of integrity in India, now faces intense scrutiny as authorities work to unravel the origins and purpose of this money.
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Judiciary Springs into Action
The discovery prompted swift and decisive responses from India’s judicial leadership:
- Transfer of Justice Varma: On March 20, 2025, the Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, recommended Justice Varma’s immediate transfer back to his parent institution, the Allahabad High Court. The move is seen as an attempt to distance the Delhi High Court from the unfolding controversy while investigations proceed.
- Internal Probe Launched: An in-house inquiry committee, comprising three Supreme Court judges, has been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the cash haul. This internal mechanism reflects the judiciary’s commitment to addressing allegations against its own members, though it has also drawn criticism for lacking external oversight.
Justice Varma, who has not yet commented publicly on the matter, was absent from court on March 21, 2025. His court officials, speaking to news agency PTI, confirmed that the judge is currently “on leave,” fueling speculation about his next steps.
Who is Justice Yashwant Varma?
Born on January 6, 1969, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, Justice Yashwant Varma has had a distinguished legal career spanning over three decades. After earning a B.Com (Honours) from Hansraj College, Delhi University, and an LL.B from Rewa University in Madhya Pradesh, he enrolled as an advocate at the Allahabad High Court in August 1992.
Varma’s legal practice focused on constitutional matters, labor disputes, corporate law, and taxation. His expertise earned him significant roles, including Special Counsel for the Allahabad High Court from 2006 until his elevation to the bench in 2014. He later served as the Chief Standing Counsel for the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court in October 2014, Varma became a permanent judge in February 2016. His transfer to the Delhi High Court marked a significant milestone in his career—until this recent scandal cast a shadow over his reputation.
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The Impeachment Conundrum: A Rare and Rigorous Process
The incident has reignited discussions about how India holds its judges accountable. Removing a sitting judge is no easy feat, thanks to a constitutionally mandated process designed to protect judicial independence while ensuring integrity. Here’s how it works:
- Motion Initiation: A removal motion requires the signatures of at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members.
- Investigation: If admitted, a three-member committee—comprising a Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and a distinguished jurist—probes the allegations.
- Parliamentary Vote: Both Houses of Parliament must pass the motion with a special majority: a majority of the total membership and two-thirds of those present and voting.
- Presidential Order: The final step involves the President issuing an order for the judge’s removal.
This stringent framework has ensured that no judge has ever been successfully impeached in India’s history, a testament to both its rigor and its rarity. While it safeguards judges from baseless attacks, critics argue it may shield those guilty of misconduct, leaving the judiciary to rely heavily on internal mechanisms like the current probe into Justice Varma.
Outcry from Legal Fraternity and Beyond
The cash scandal has left the legal community reeling. Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya admitted to being “shaken” when senior advocate Arun Bhardwaj raised the issue in court. “Today’s incident has pained many of us,” Bhardwaj pleaded, urging administrative steps to prevent future embarrassments. Upadhyaya echoed the sentiment, noting that “everyone has been shaken and demoralized.”
Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took the matter further, calling on the Supreme Court to overhaul the judicial appointment process. In a video statement, Sibal described corruption within the judiciary as a “very serious issue” that has festered for years. “The appointment process should be more transparent and carefully done,” he argued, pointing to systemic flaws that allow such incidents to occur. He also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-corruption stance, claiming that “corruption has increased” despite official rhetoric.
Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association has fiercely opposed Justice Varma’s transfer back to their court. In a resolution passed on March 21, 2025, the association expressed dismay, stating, “We were taken aback that the Supreme Court has transferred Justice Yashwant Varma back to Allahabad High Court.” Labeling their institution as “not a trash bin,” they signaled their unwillingness to welcome a judge embroiled in controversy.
A Test of Judicial Integrity
The discovery of Rs 15 crore at Justice Varma’s residence has thrust India’s judiciary into an uncomfortable spotlight. As the internal probe unfolds, it will serve as a litmus test for the system’s ability to police itself. For many, the incident underscores a deeper tension: how to balance judicial independence with accountability in a democracy where public trust is paramount.
For now, the nation watches closely. Will this scandal lead to meaningful reforms, or will it fade into the annals of judicial history as another unresolved chapter? Only time—and the diligence of the inquiry committee—will tell. Until then, Justice Varma’s silence and the judiciary’s response will remain under intense scrutiny, as India grapples with the fallout of a scandal that has shaken its moral and legal foundations.