The recent fire incident at the official residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma has turned into a full-blown controversy, with more questions than answers. Even as Delhi Fire Services (DFS) Chief Atul Garg stated that no cash was found during the firefighting operation, reports suggest otherwise, with a Supreme Court collegium initiating an inquiry and recommending Justice Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad High Court.
The blaze broke out at Justice Varma’s Lutyens Delhi residence on the night of March 14, with the control room receiving an emergency call at 11.35 pm. Two fire tenders were dispatched, reaching the location by 11.43 pm. According to Garg, the fire, which had engulfed a store room stocked with stationery and domestic items, was controlled within 15 minutes.
While there were no casualties, the incident took a mysterious turn when allegations surfaced that a large stash of cash was discovered at the site. However, DFS Chief Garg categorically denied the claims. “Our firefighters did not find any cash during their firefighting operation,” he told PTI. The fire department, he added, had duly informed the police after dousing the flames and left the spot soon after.
Despite this, the Supreme Court collegium has reportedly launched an inquiry into the alleged discovery of cash, leading to Varma’s sudden recommendation for transfer to the Allahabad High Court. This move has sparked outrage among members of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, who released a strongly worded statement rejecting the transfer, saying, “We are not a dustbin for judicial controversies.”
The lack of clarity surrounding the alleged cash haul has raised several pressing questions. If no cash was found, as DFS claims, why was Justice Varma suddenly repatriated to his parent High Court? Why has the video footage recorded by fire department personnel not been made public? If money was indeed discovered, how much was it, who placed it there, how was it transported, and why was the matter kept under wraps for a week?
Adding to the intrigue, investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department, and Delhi Police have remained conspicuously silent. Their inaction in probing such a serious allegation has fueled speculation of a cover-up or political maneuvering at play.
As the judicial corridors buzz with unanswered questions, the lack of transparency surrounding the incident only deepens the mystery. Whether this controversy will be buried or lead to a full-fledged investigation remains to be seen.
