CJI Sanjiv Khanna has ordered a 3-member committee to be constituted for conducting an inquiry into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma. CJI has also ordered in-house inquiry after getting report from Chief Justice of Delhi High Court D K Upadhyay.
Further CJI Sanjiv Khanna asks Chief Justice of Delhi HC not to assign any judicial work to Justice Yashwant Varma. Report submitted by Chief Justice of Delhi HC, Justice Yashwant Varma's response, other documents to be uploaded on SC website.
This comes after the purported discovery of a huge stash of cash happened following a fire at Justice Varma's Lutyens Delhi residence at around 11.35 pm on Holi night on March 14, prompting the Delhi fire department personnel to rush to the spot and douse it.
What Does The CJI's Statement Say?
The statement on the matter, posted by the CJI says that the inquiry committee consists of Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, and Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka.
It said, "The Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi for the time being has been asked not to assign any judicial work to Mr Justice Yashwant Varma."
"The Report submitted by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi, response of Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma, and other documents, are being uploaded on the Supreme Court website," the statement from the top court read.
Cash Row: Investigation So Far
Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Updhyay earlier stated to have submitted a report to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna in connection with the alleged discovery of cash from Justice Yashwant Varma's official residence here.
Justice Upadhyay had commenced the in-house enquiry procedure collecting evidence and information in the incident and submitted his report on Friday.
The top court in a statement on Friday said the Delhi High Court chief justice had initiated an in-house inquiry against him and the proposal to transfer him to the Allahabad High Court was separate.
Upon receiving the information, the apex court said Justice Upadhyaya "commenced the in-house enquiry procedure collecting evidence and information".
Justice Upadhyaya was stated to have commenced the enquiry prior to the collegium meeting on March 20.
The apex court said the proposal for transferring him was examined by the apex court collegium comprising the CJI and four senior-most judges on March 20, and thereafter letters were shot off to the consultee judges of the top court, the chief justices of the high courts concerned apart from Justice Varma.
"Responses received will be examined and, thereupon, the collegium will pass a resolution," the court said.
