A high-level judicial inquiry has raised suspicions about the involvement of Justice Yashwant Varma‘s personal secretary and staff in the mysterious disappearance of a significant amount of cash from his official residence in Delhi. The incident came to light following a fire on the night of March 14, 2025, at the judge’s Tughlaq Crescent bungalow.
Fire Leads to Discovery
Firefighters and police personnel responded to a blaze at Justice Varma’s residence around 11:35 PM. Upon extinguishing the fire, they reportedly discovered sacks containing cash, some of which were partially burnt. Videos capturing the scene were taken by first responders before they left the premises without seizing any of the cash.
Judicial Inquiry Initiated
In response to the incident, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna constituted a three-member inquiry panel comprising Punjab and Haryana Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, and Karnataka High Court’s Justice Anu Sivaraman. The panel recorded statements from Justice Varma’s private secretary, staff, security personnel, and the first responders.
Suspicion on Personal Staff
The inquiry panel’s findings suggest that the cash, initially present at the scene, was later unaccounted for. Security personnel informed the panel that Justice Varma’s private secretary and personal staff remained at the residence after the departure of emergency services. The panel opined that the disappearance of the cash occurred during this interval, implicating the personal staff in the matter.
Justice Varma’s Response
Justice Varma has denied any knowledge of the cash found at his residence, asserting that the storeroom where the fire occurred was accessible to multiple individuals and not part of his personal living area. He emphasized that neither he nor his family stored any cash there and suggested that the allegations were part of a conspiracy to malign him.
Ongoing Proceedings
The Supreme Court has clarified that Justice Varma’s proposed transfer to the Allahabad High Court is independent of the in-house inquiry into the cash disappearance. The inquiry panel’s report has been submitted to the Chief Justice of India, and further actions are pending based on its findings.
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