Justice Varma Remained Silent as Witnesses Reported Seeing Large Amount of Cash: Probe Panel

Justice Yashwant Varma Faces Removal After Inquiry Finds Unreported Stash of Cash at Residence.

A Supreme Court-appointed inquiry panel has recommended the removal of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma after finding that he failed to report the discovery of a large sum of cash at his official residence. The panel termed his conduct “unnatural” and said there was “sufficient substance” in the allegations to warrant serious action.

The probe was launched following a fire at Justice Varma’s Delhi residence in March, during which multiple eyewitnesses — including fire and police officials — reported seeing a large pile of Rs 500 notes, some of them charred, inside a locked storeroom accessible only to the judge and his family. Despite this, no police complaint was filed, and judicial authorities were not informed.

“The judge’s claim of ignorance is unbelievable,” the panel stated, noting that Justice Varma’s explanation lacked plausibility and that his failure to act undermined the credibility of his defense.

The committee, which examined 55 witnesses, including Justice Varma’s daughter Diya Varma, reviewed videos and photographs that corroborated the accounts. One witness described the scene as “shocking,” saying it was the first time they had seen such an amount of cash.

According to the report, a private secretary to Justice Varma instructed fire officials not to mention the cash in their report. Fire personnel were also reportedly told by senior officials not to pursue the matter, citing “higher-ups” being involved.

While the domestic staff denied seeing the money, the panel said the testimonies of independent fire and police officials were more credible. It also suggested that Justice Varma’s daughter and private secretary may have played a role in the removal or destruction of evidence.

Justice Varma has claimed the incident was part of a conspiracy to tarnish his image, but the panel dismissed this, pointing out that the cash was documented in real time by multiple independent observers.

“It is implausible that such a large amount of money was planted,” the panel wrote. “There is clear evidence of concealment and post-incident tampering.”

The judge has since been transferred back to the Allahabad High Court and has not been assigned any judicial work. He has neither resigned nor sought voluntary retirement, instead calling the inquiry process “fundamentally unjust.”

The report marks a significant escalation in what has become one of the most serious allegations of misconduct against a sitting High Court judge in recent years. The Supreme Court is expected to deliberate on the findings before any formal proceedings for removal are initiated.