Delhi: SC To Hear FIR Plea Over Cash Found At Justice Varma's Residence; Lawyers Seek Cancellation Of Transfer

The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Friday a plea seeking a direction to Delhi Police to lodge an FIR over the alleged discovery of a semi-burnt stash of cash from the official residence of High Court judge Yashwant Varma.

The alleged cash discovery took place on March 14 following a fire at Varma's Lutyens Delhi residence at around 11.35 pm.

Citing the SC's cause list for Friday, Business Standard reported that a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan is scheduled to hear the matter. Earlier, a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna refused urgent hearing.

About The Plea

It has been reported that the plea was filed by lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara and three others on Sunday seeking a direction to police to lodge an FIR in the matter.

The plea also challenges the 1991 judgement in the K Veeraswami case, in which the top court ruled that no criminal proceedings could be initiated against a judge of the high court or the top court without the prior nod of the Chief Justice of India.

SC Inquiry Underway: Actions Taken So Far

Taking cognisance of the matter, on March 22, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjeev Khanna constituted a three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry into the allegations.

The three members of the Supreme Court-appointed in-house committee visited the residence of Justice Varma on Tuesday, commencing its inquiry into the matter.

In the wake of the controversy, the apex court Collegium recommended the repatriation of Justice Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court. He was already de-rostered by the Delhi High Court following a directive from the CJI.

Justice Varma denied the allegations and said no cash was ever placed in the storeroom either by him or any of his family members.

High Court Lawyers Support Justice Verma

Coming out in support of Justice Varma, six high court bar associations reportedly met the Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday to protest against the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi to the Allahabad High Court.

According to a report by NDTV, Anil Tiwari, the President of the Allahabad association, said the Collegium, led by CJI Khanna, heard them patiently and promised to consider their demands.

He did not, however, say if the association will call off the general strike that they began Tuesday morning.

"A strike is not the decision of one person. Going on a strike is the decision of 35,000 lawyers who form the General Assembly (of the Association). This decision was taken by them. As President, it is my duty to communicate this latest development... and then they will take a decision," Mr Tiwari told NDTV.