In a groundbreaking move, the Supreme Court of India has made public the report concerning the allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court.
This marks the first time in India’s judicial history that the court has released documents related to allegations against a judge to the public.
The Supreme Court aims to ensure transparency and maintain public trust in the judiciary by making the full report, along with related documents, available on its website.
The Allegations Against Justice Varma
The allegations against Justice Varma center around a fire incident at his official residence.
The report states that the aftermath of the fire revealed a large sum of cash in a room used for storing old furniture and miscellaneous items.
Following the incident, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna raised three critical questions on March 21 to the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Devendra Kumar Upadhyay, seeking clarification on the origin of the money, its presence in the room, and the identity of the person who removed the burnt cash.
These questions aim to address the concerns surrounding the incident and ensure transparency in the investigation process.
Justice Varma’s Response To The Allegations
In his response, Justice Varma explained that a fire broke out in a storeroom at his residence on the night of March 14, 2024.
The staff typically used the storeroom to store old furniture, bottles, and gardening equipment, and they kept it unlocked and accessible through two entry points.
His personal staff reported the incident to the PCR but did not make a separate call to the fire department.
The Delhi Police Commissioner later informed the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court about the situation on March 15, providing images and videos of the partially burnt money.
Justice Varma denied knowing about the cash and claimed that the room was frequently used by others as well.
When shown the video footage, he described the incident as part of a larger conspiracy.
The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court then recommended a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasizing the need for transparency.
The Supreme Court directed the preservation of Justice Varma’s phone, ensuring that no data or messages be deleted in response to the allegations.
The Court formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter, including the Chief Justices of Punjab and Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka High Courts.
Implications For Judicial Transparency
The Supreme Court’s decision to publicly release the report and take these actions reflects its commitment to transparency and its responsibility to uphold public trust in the judicial system.
The ongoing investigation will provide further clarity on the situation, which has raised significant concerns about judicial accountability.
As the inquiry progresses, the results will have important implications for the future of judicial transparency in India.
The outcome may influence how the judiciary handles allegations against judges and how it maintains its credibility with the public.
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