In a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court of India has released video evidence showing large amounts of cash allegedly recovered from the residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma. This revelation follows a series of developments that have shaken the judiciary and raised serious questions about accountability in high offices.
The shocking part lies in the note from the Fire Department, which states that on the night of 14/03/25 at 11:43 PM, a PCR call was received reporting a fire at 30 Tughlaq Crescent bungalow. This bungalow is allotted to Hon’ble Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court.
Two fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the spot. The fire had broken out in a corner of the bungalow where some rooms adjoining the boundary wall were located. These rooms were being used as storage. Some of the security personnel deployed at the bungalow were also staying in one of these rooms. The fire was quickly brought under control. Prima facie, the cause of the fire is suspected to be a short circuit.
After the fire was brought under control, 4-5 half-burnt sacks were found in the said room, and remnants of Indian currency were discovered inside them.
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Timeline of Events
March 14, 2025: The Fire Incident
The controversy began late at night on March 14, when a fire broke out at Justice Yashwant Varma’s official residence in Lutyens Delhi. The Delhi Fire Services responded to an emergency call at 11:35 PM and extinguished the blaze, which reportedly originated in a storeroom filled with stationery and domestic items. While no casualties were reported, firefighters allegedly discovered a significant stash of cash during their operations.
March 15-16, 2025: Allegations Surface
Initial reports speculated that ₹15 crore in unaccounted cash was found at the judge’s residence. However, conflicting accounts emerged. The Delhi Fire Services Chief Atul Garg clarified that he never stated no cash was found during the operation, contradicting earlier media reports.
Opposition from Allahabad HCBA
On March 21, 2025, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) took a strong stance against the transfer, issuing a press release and a letter to the Chief Justice and judges of the Allahabad High Court. The HCBA, led by President Anil Tiwari, declared, “Allahabad High Court kude ka dibba nahi hai jo yahan bhej diya gaya hai (Allahabad High Court is not a trash bin that he has been sent here),” emphasizing their refusal to accept Justice Varma given the allegations of corruption. The association highlighted the shortage of judges at the Allahabad High Court and the lack of new appointments, questioning whether the court was being used as a dumping ground for judges under scrutiny. They also threatened to close court work and go “sine die” if necessary, underscoring their determination. This opposition added a significant layer of controversy, reflecting tensions within the legal fraternity about judicial appointments and integrity.
Inquiry and Latest Developments
On March 21, 2025, Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyay completed his in-house inquiry and submitted a report to CJI Sanjiv Khanna, as part of the established procedure for addressing such allegations. Justice Varma did not hold court on this day, indicating an immediate administrative pause. The Supreme Court, in a rare press note, emphasized the commencement of the inquiry, collecting evidence and information, and refuted rumors linking the transfer to the cash discovery.
By March 22, 2025, at 11:33 AM PDT, CJI Sanjiv Khanna escalated the matter by forming a three-member committee to probe the allegations, comprising Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia, and Karnataka High Court Judge Anu Sivaraman. This panel was tasked with a detailed investigation, and concurrently, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court was directed to refrain from assigning any judicial work to Justice Varma until further notice, effectively sidelining him from active judicial duties This development, occurring on the same day as this response is written, marks the latest action in the ongoing saga.
March 22, 2025: Video Evidence Released
Amid growing public and media scrutiny, the Supreme Court released video footage purportedly showing stacks of cash recovered from Justice Varma’s residence. The release aimed to address rumors and misinformation surrounding the case. Concurrently, the Delhi High Court Chief Justice was directed not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma until further notice.
Contextual Background and Past Scrutiny
An additional layer of context emerged with reports linking Justice Varma to a 2018 CBI FIR in the Simbhaoli Sugar Mill fraud case, where he was named as accused number 10 in a Rs 97.85 crore financial scandal. The case involved allegations of loan misappropriation, and while the Supreme Court later clarified no investigation was warranted, it did not preclude action for fraud. This historical association has reignited scrutiny, with questions raised about potential conflicts of interest, though it remains separate from the current cash recovery inquiry.
Justice Varma’s career, spanning over 22 years, includes significant judicial roles, such as his appointment to the Delhi High Court in October 2021 and prior service at the Allahabad High Court since 2014. His involvement in key cases, like granting bail to Dr. Kafeel Khan in 2018 and ruling on tax reassessments in 2024, underscores his prominence, making the current controversy particularly notable.
