In a recent statement, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, commended Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, for his decision to publicly release documents pertaining to the in-house inquiry against Justice Yashwant Varma. The inquiry was initiated following the alleged discovery of cash at Justice Varma’s official residence.
Dhankhar described this act as “unprecedented” and a “step in the right direction,” highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in the judiciary. “For the first time since independence, a Chief Justice of India has made all materials available to him in the public domain in such a transparent and accountable manner,” stated Dhankhar. He expressed his anticipation for the outcomes of the committee’s findings, which he believes will reinforce public trust in the judiciary.
The Vice President made these remarks during a meeting that included JP Nadda, the Leader of the House, and Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition. The discussion revolved around the procedures and responses to the allegations against Justice Varma, which were first brought up in the Rajya Sabha on March 21 by Jairam Ramesh, a Member of Parliament from the Indian National Congress.
Further solidifying the judiciary’s commitment to integrity, Chief Justice Khanna has formed a three-member committee to thoroughly investigate the allegations against Justice Varma. The committee consists of Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court; Justice GS Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh; and Justice Anu Sivaraman, a judge from the High Court of Karnataka.
In addition to applauding the creation of the committee, Dhankhar also supported a proposal by Kharge to discuss the matter with parliamentary floor leaders, emphasizing the need for consistent deliberation in line with parliamentary practices. Dhankhar has pledged to organize a meeting to further address these concerns and ensure that all actions taken are transparent and aimed at maintaining the integrity of India’s institutions.
