The Supreme Court of India has initiated an in-house investigation into Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court following the discovery of a substantial amount of cash at his residence. This development comes in the wake of a fire incident at Justice Varma’s official bungalow, which led to the unanticipated cash recovery.

Incident Overview

On March 14, 2025, a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s official residence in New Delhi. While the fire was promptly contained, the subsequent assessment revealed a significant stash of unaccounted cash within the premises. At the time of the incident, Justice Varma was not present at the residence.

Supreme Court’s Response

In response to the incident, the Supreme Court’s Collegium convened an urgent meeting. Following deliberations, it was proposed that Justice Varma be transferred to the Allahabad High Court, his parent institution. The Supreme Court has clarified that this transfer is a routine administrative decision and is not connected to the ongoing investigation concerning the cash discovery.

Concurrently, an in-house inquiry has been initiated to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the cash recovery. This investigation is being conducted in accordance with established judicial procedures to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the judiciary.

Professional Background of Justice Yashwant Varma

Born on January 6, 1969, in Allahabad, Justice Varma pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree at Hansraj College, Delhi University, followed by a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Rewa University, Madhya Pradesh. He enrolled as an advocate on August 8, 1992, and practiced primarily at the Allahabad High Court, handling cases related to constitutional law, industrial disputes, corporate matters, taxation, environmental issues, and allied legal fields.

Justice Varma was appointed as an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court on October 13, 2014, and was elevated to the position of permanent judge on February 1, 2016. He was subsequently transferred to the Delhi High Court on October 11, 2021.

Current Status

As the in-house inquiry proceeds, Justice Varma has refrained from presiding over court proceedings. The judicial community and the public await the findings of the investigation, which are anticipated to shed light on the events leading to the cash discovery and determine any necessary actions to uphold the judiciary’s integrity.

This incident underscores the judiciary’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the maintenance of public trust in legal institutions.

Key Points: Justice Yashwant Verma Case

1. Fire Incident at Justice Verma’s Residence
   • On March 14, 2025, a fire broke out at the government residence of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Verma in Lutyens Delhi around 11:35 PM.
   • Multiple fire engines were deployed to control the blaze.
2. Discovery of Half-Burnt Cash
   • After extinguishing the fire, authorities found 4-5 half-burnt sacks filled with cash inside the house.
   • A video released by the Supreme Court shows bundles of notes burning.
3. Supreme Court’s Response
   • The Supreme Court has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the matter.
   • The committee includes:
     • Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court Sheel Nagu
     • Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court G.S. Sandhawalia
     • Justice Anu Sivaraman of Karnataka High Court
4. Judicial Action Against Justice Verma
   • The Delhi High Court Chief Justice has been instructed not to assign any judicial work to Justice Verma.
   • An internal investigation has been initiated by the Delhi High Court.
   • There is also a proposal to transfer Justice Verma to Allahabad High Court.
5. Supreme Court’s Official Statement
   • The SC issued a press release clarifying that misinformation and rumors about the incident are being spread.
   • The SC confirmed that Chief Justice of Delhi High Court has submitted a report to Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna.
   • The SC stated that the internal probe aims to collect evidence and ensure transparency.
6. Investigation Ongoing
   • Authorities are investigating the origin of the large amount of cash found in the residence.
   • Further legal and disciplinary actions will depend on the committee’s findings.

This case has raised serious questions about judicial integrity and transparency, and more developments are expected as the probe continues.

Summary: Justice Yashwant Verma Case

On March 14, 2025, a fire broke out at the government residence of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Verma in Lutyens Delhi. After the fire was extinguished, authorities discovered 4-5 sacks filled with half-burnt cash, raising serious concerns about the source of the money.

In response, the Supreme Court released a video showing burning cash and has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee includes Chief Justices from Punjab & Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka High Courts. Meanwhile, Justice Verma has been relieved of judicial duties, and there is a proposal to transfer him to the Allahabad High Court.

The Supreme Court issued a press release denying misinformation and confirmed that an internal probe is underway to collect evidence and determine the truth behind the incident. The case remains under investigation.