The Delhi High Court on Monday announced the immediate withdrawal of judicial responsibilities from Justice Yashwant Varma following recent allegations linked to the discovery of a substantial amount of cash at his residence.
The High Court’s supplementary cause list officially confirmed the decision, citing the ongoing controversy as the reason behind the suspension of his duties until further notice.
The controversy erupted after a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s residence on March 14, 2025, inadvertently leading to the discovery of large sums of cash. The source and ownership of the money remain under scrutiny, fueling speculation and legal action.
However, Justice Varma has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that neither he nor his family had any connection to the cash. He further suggested that the entire incident was a deliberate conspiracy to frame him and tarnish his reputation.
Over the weekend, the Supreme Court released an inquiry report submitted by Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, which indicated a prima facie case for a deeper investigation into the matter.
In his response, Justice Varma refuted all allegations, asserting that the storeroom where the cash was allegedly found was in an outhouse, separate from his main residence, and that no such cash had ever been kept there by him or his family.
Taking swift action, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has constituted a three-member panel of senior judges to conduct an independent inquiry into the matter. The panel will investigate the allegations related to the cash discovery at Justice Varma’s official residence and determine any further legal or disciplinary actions.
With judicial authorities now handling the probe, the case is expected to unfold in the coming days, potentially leading to significant legal and institutional repercussions.
