A fresh petition seeking registration of an FIR against former Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma over the purported recovery of cash from his Delhi residence was mentioned before the Supreme Court on Wednesday for urgent listing.
The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. Lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara requested the court to direct that the plea be listed, alleging that the Supreme Court Registry was declining to do so.
Nedumpara submitted that the petition should at least be registered and placed before the court, irrespective of whether it is ultimately dismissed.
Another petitioner, appearing in person, referred to the findings of the Lok Sabha Enquiry Committee and submitted that there was no impediment to registration of an FIR after the committee found the charges against Justice Varma proved. He also urged the court to ensure equal treatment and exercise its power to direct registration of the case.
Chief Justice Surya Kant did not make any observation regarding the listing of the petition.
Earlier Pleas Seeking FIR
The fresh approach to the Supreme Court comes after the Delhi High Court on September 21 declined to entertain a petition seeking registration of an FIR and an investigation by either a Special Investigation Team or the Central Bureau of Investigation against Varma.
Earlier, in August, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe had dismissed a public interest litigation filed by Ghanshyam Upadhyay seeking registration of an FIR against Justice Varma.
Lok Sabha Panel Found Charges Proved
The Lok Sabha enquiry panel constituted under the Judges Inquiry Act submitted its report to the Lok Sabha in August and found the charges against Justice Varma proved.
The controversy arose after a fire broke out at Varma’s Lutyens’ Delhi residence at around 11.35 pm on March 14, 2025, the night of Holi. Varma was then serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court.
Fire department personnel who reached the residence to extinguish the blaze purportedly discovered a large quantity of cash there.
The development triggered a major controversy, following which Justice Varma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court, his parent High Court.
Resignation Ended Removal Proceedings
Varma resigned on April 9 this year while facing impeachment proceedings. He submitted his resignation through a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu.
Following his resignation, the removal proceedings initiated against him by the Lok Sabha were rendered infructuous.
Justice Varma was otherwise due to retire on January 5, 2031.
