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The controversy surrounding Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma erupted after unaccounted cash was discovered at his home during the court’s Holi break, raising serious questions about judicial integrity.
Justice Yashwant Varma, a judge of the Delhi High Court, has recently found himself at the center of a controversy after unaccounted cash was discovered at his bungalow in the city during the Holi weekend. The incident, which came to light after firefighters were called to extinguish a fire at the residence, has raised serious questions about the judge’s conduct and has caught the attention of the judiciary and the public alike. This controversy has prompted the Supreme Court Collegium to take swift action, transferring Justice Varma back to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court.
Background and Career of Justice Varma
Justice Yashwant Varma was appointed to the Delhi High Court in October 2021. Before his appointment in Delhi, he had served as a judge at the Allahabad High Court. His judicial career began in 2014 when he was appointed as an Additional Judge at the Allahabad High Court. Two years later, in February 2016, he was made a permanent judge of the same court. Justice Varma’s legal journey began when he enrolled as an advocate in the Allahabad High Court on August 8, 1992.
Justice Varma hails from Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj, in Uttar Pradesh, where he was born on January 6, 1969. He pursued a B.Com (Honours) degree from Delhi University’s Hansraj College and later obtained his LLB degree from Rewa University in Madhya Pradesh. His legal expertise spans several areas, including constitutional law, labour disputes, laws governing industries and corporations, and tax matters. From 2006, until his appointment to the bench, he served as the Special Counsel for the Allahabad High Court and also held the position of Chief Standing Counsel for the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The Controversy Unfolds
The controversy erupted during the Holi weekend when unaccounted cash was found at Justice Varma’s residence. The discovery was made by firefighters who had been called to the house to put out a fire. As per reports, the cash was not accompanied by any clear explanation or documentation, raising questions about its origins and legitimacy. This led to a quick and strong response from the judiciary.
The Supreme Court Collegium, which is responsible for judicial appointments and transfers, decided to transfer Justice Varma back to his parent court in Allahabad. Sources revealed that the Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, expressed strong disapproval of the matter and took action to prevent any further damage to the reputation of the judiciary. The Collegium’s swift response underscored the gravity of the situation.
Reactions and Concerns
Following the discovery of the cash and the subsequent transfer of Justice Varma, reactions from the legal community and the judiciary have been mixed. Justice Varma has not yet publicly commented on the controversy and did not hold court on the day the news broke. His court officials indicated that the judge was on leave.
The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, DK Upadhyaya, expressed his distress over the incident. Responding to a mention of the matter by senior advocate Arun Bhardwaj in the court, the Chief Justice admitted that the news had deeply shaken many members of the judiciary. Bhardwaj, while raising the issue, called for administrative steps to prevent such incidents in the future and to safeguard the integrity of the judicial system. The Chief Justice agreed, acknowledging that the incident had demoralized several within the court.
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Meanwhile, prominent legal figures have also weighed in on the controversy. Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal spoke out, urging the Supreme Court to reassess how judicial appointments are made. He called the issue of corruption within the judiciary a “very serious” concern, one that has been discussed by legal professionals for years. Sibal emphasized that the process for appointing judges must be more transparent and conducted with greater scrutiny.
Moving Forward
This controversy has raised broader concerns about the transparency and integrity of the judicial system. The discovery of unaccounted cash at a sitting judge’s residence has prompted calls for reform in judicial appointments and stricter measures to ensure accountability. Justice Varma’s transfer back to the Allahabad High Court signifies the seriousness with which the judiciary is taking the matter, as it seeks to maintain public trust and safeguard its image.
While Justice Varma’s future in the legal system remains uncertain, the case has certainly sparked a wider conversation about corruption and accountability in the judiciary, and whether enough is being done to prevent such incidents from tarnishing the reputation of the legal profession. The focus now shifts to how the judicial system will address these concerns and ensure that such lapses are not repeated in the future.
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