FIRE GOD CHARRED VARMA'S JUSTICE

There was a fire at the outhouse store room of Justice Yshwant Varma of the Delhi High Court on March 14. While estinquishing the  fire, the fire fighting squad had discovered a substantial amount of cash of ₹ 500 denomination currency notes to the tune of approximately ₹ 15 crore.

 

The discovery had become Breaking News for the Media that caught the attention of the Apex Court into action.

Justice Varma strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that neither he nor his family members placed any cash in the storeroom where the money was found. He described the allegations as a "calculated effort to malign" his reputation and suggested that the incident was part of a conspiracy against him.

Following these events, the Delhi High Court withdrew Justice Varma from judicial duties with immediate effect. A circular  issued by the court stated: "In view of recent events, the judicial work from Hon'ble Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma is withdrawn with immediate effect, till further orders.“

Further the Supreme Court released a 25-page internal inquiry report, including photographs and videos of the burnt currency notes found at Justice Varma's residence, to ensure transparency in the investigation.

The Supreme Court established a three-member committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Matter of concerns in conflicting statements and actions by the authorities involved:

 

1. One or two burnt ₹ 500 currency notes were found by the sanitation workers on the next day of fire accident, while collecting garbage at the official residence of Varma.

2. Delhi Fire Service Chief Atul Garg initially stated that no cash was found at Justice Varma’s residence. However, the narrative took a dramatic turn when Delhi’s Police Commissioner, Sanjay Arora sent video footage and photographs of burnt cash recovered from the scene to Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya.

 

3. If the burnt cash was indeed present at the scene, why was it not seized by the police? Why was the site not sealed for investigation?

4.  Who is the person who removed the burnt money/cash from the room in the morning of March 15? Justice Varma answered that only debris were removed and not anything else - was not convincing and needed more questioning or probe.

In view of above incidents and comments and evidences, the public had even raised their voice that all Varma's verdicts should be thoroughly reviewed to confirm that 'justice was rendered in all those cases.'

But for the Fire, Justice Varma will have his position and honour in tact and will have the privilege of being addressed with respect as 'My Lord'.

It is very sad to know that 'Lure of Money becomes powerful enough to Lure Judges'