The Supreme Court Collegium has announced the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma back to Allahabad High Court. While a reason has not been clearly stated in the notice issued, the top court's move comes after a fire at the judge's house led to the recovery of a huge pile of cash.
"The Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings held on 20th and 24th March 2025 has recommended repatriation of Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge, High Court of Delhi, to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad," reads the notice issued by the Supreme Court.
Earlier today, the Delhi High Court stated that all judicial work from Justice Yashwant Varma has been withdrawn with "immediate effect".
"In view of recent events, the judicial work from Hon'ble Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma is withdrawn with immediate effect, till further orders," the court's notification states as shared by Bar and Bench.
What Is The Controversy?
On March 14, 2025, a fire broke out at the Delhi HC Judge's residence in Lutyens' Delhi. After a call to the Delhi Fire Services, the fire was doused.
However, as per a report shared by the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, four to five sacks containing remains of Indian currency were found in the storehouse. Based on the videos shared by police officials, a huge pile of cash was burnt in the fire.
These videos, which were sent by the Police Commissioner to Delhi HC Chief Justice Upadhyaya, were then sent to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.
CJI Khanna constituted a n in-house committee consisting of Justices Sheel Nagu, G.S. Sandhawalia and Anu Sivaram, Chief Justices of the Punjab & Haryana and Himachal Pradesh High Courts, and judge at the Karnataka High Court, to look into the allegations against Yashwant Varma.
Varma has denied all allegations and stated that a larger conspiracy is at play.
