New Delhi: Congress demanded urgent discussion on judicial accountability in the Rajya Sabha on Friday after a huge pile of cash was recovered from the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court following an incident of fire.
“This morning, we read about a shocking case of huge amounts of cash unearthed at the residence of a Delhi High Court judge. Earlier, 50 members of Parliament submitted a notice to you regarding certain remarks made by an Allahabad High Court judge. You have repeatedly called into question the urgency for judicial accountability. In fact, you directed the Leader of the House on this issue. I request that you make some observations on this and give necessary directions to the government to come up with a proposal for increasing judicial accountability,” said Congress MP Jairam Ramesh at Rajya Sabha.
This morning, we read about a shocking case of huge amounts of cash unearthed at the residence of a Delhi High Court judge. Earlier, 50 members of Parliament submitted a notice to you regarding certain remarks made by an Allahabad High Court judge.
You have repeatedly called… pic.twitter.com/fJAnEhu4uY
— Congress (@INCIndia) March 21, 2025
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Collegium has decided to transfer Justice Varma to his parent high court in Allahabad after an “adverse report” against him, ANI reported
The Supreme Court collegium led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna made the recommendations for Justice Yashwant Varma’s transfer to the Central government, reports claimed. Justice Varma took oath as Delhi high court judge in October 2021.
How was cash found?
The ToI had reported that when the fire broke out, Justice Varma was not in Delhi. His family members called the fire brigade and police. After the fire was doused, first responders found a huge amount of cash inside a room. The recovery appeared to be unaccounted money.
Who is Justice Yashwant Varma?
- Justice Yashwant Varma was born on January 6, 1969, in Allahabad.
- He completed his BCom (Hons) from Hansraj College, Delhi University. He earned his LLB from Rewa University, Madhya Pradesh.
- He enrolled as an advocate on August 8, 1992.
- On October 13, 2014, he was appointed as an additional judge at the Allahabad high court.
- He was elevated to a permanent judge on February 1, 2016.
- He was transferred to the Delhi high court on October 11, 2021.
- Justice Yashwant Varma specialised in constitutional law, labour and industrial legislations, corporate laws, taxation, and related areas.
- He also served as the special counsel for the Allahabad high court from 2006 until his elevation.
