On March 14, 2025, a fire broke out at the official residence of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court. While extinguishing the flames, emergency responders allegedly discovered a significant amount of cash within the premises. This incident prompted the Supreme Court Collegium to recommend Justice Varma’s immediate transfer back to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court.
Incident Details:
The fire occurred around 11:30 PM at Justice Varma’s bungalow on Tughlaq Road. At that time, Justice Varma was reportedly out of Delhi. His family alerted the fire department, and two fire tenders were dispatched, bringing the situation under control within 15 minutes. During the firefighting operations, personnel allegedly stumbled upon a substantial amount of cash in one of the rooms.
Supreme Court’s Response:
Upon receiving reports of the incident, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna convened an urgent meeting of the Supreme Court Collegium. The five-member panel, after reviewing the situation, unanimously decided to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court. The Collegium also considered initiating an in-house inquiry to further investigate the matter.
Justice Yashwant Varma’s Background:
-
Birth and Education: Born on January 6, 1969, in Allahabad, Justice Varma completed his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Hansraj College, Delhi University, and later obtained his LLB from Rewa University, Madhya Pradesh.
-
Legal Career: He enrolled as an advocate on August 8, 1992, practicing extensively in the Allahabad High Court. His areas of expertise included constitutional law, taxation, corporate law, and industrial disputes. He served as Special Counsel for the Allahabad High Court from 2006 to 2014 and as Chief Standing Counsel for the State of Uttar Pradesh between 2012 and 2013. In 2013, he was designated as a Senior Advocate. Judicial Appointments: Justice Varma was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court in October 2014 and became a Permanent Judge in February 2016. He was transferred to the Delhi High Court in October 2021.
Controversy and Investigations:
The discovery of cash during the fire has raised concerns within the judiciary. While some reports suggest the recovery of a substantial amount, official records from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) do not mention any cash discovery. The DFS report describes the fire as a minor incident confined to a storeroom containing stationery and domestic items, with no casualties reported.
In response to the incident, the Supreme Court is contemplating further actions, including the possibility of an in-house inquiry, to uphold the integrity of the judiciary.
Conclusion:
The incident involving Justice Yashwant Varma has spotlighted the judiciary’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The swift actions by the Supreme Court Collegium underscore the importance of maintaining public trust in the judicial system. As investigations proceed, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
