Money row: SC collegium points decision to repatriate Justice Yashwant Varma to Allahabad HC

The cash was found after a hearth broke out at Justice Varma’s official residence on Tughlak Street at round 11:35pm on March 14.

First responders—together with personnel from DFS and presumably the police—are believed to have found stacks of money within the storeroom, a few of which have been reportedly charred. Justice Varma and his spouse have been in Bhopal on the time.

Justice Yashwant Varma has categorically denied any connection to the money reportedly found at his residence. He claims that he’s being framed in what he described as a “conspiracy to malign” him.

On March 20, the Supreme Courtroom collegium unanimously advisable transferring justice Varma to the Allahabad excessive court docket—his father or mother excessive court docket.

Nonetheless, throughout deliberations, a minimum of two members argued {that a} mere switch was inadequate and pushed for a right away in-house inquiry. One choose insisted that justice Varma be stripped of judicial work instantly, whereas one other pressed for a proper investigation to make sure institutional accountability, as reported by Hindustan Instances.

The Allahabad Excessive Courtroom Bar Affiliation (HCBA) had opposed the proposed switch of Justice Yashwant Verma, saying it raises a “critical query as as to if the Allahabad Excessive Courtroom is trash bin”.

In a letter, HCBA stated corruption is unacceptable and that it “was stunned” by the choice to switch Justice Verma to his father or mother excessive court docket.

On March 22, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna constituted a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry into the allegations towards Justice Varma.

Justice Varma was first appointed as a choose on the Allahabad excessive court docket in 2016. He was transferred to the Delhi excessive court docket in October 2021. Earlier than his elevation, he served as standing counsel for the Uttar Pradesh authorities.