Allegations surrounding a fire at the residence of Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma, which supposedly led to the discovery of hidden cash, have sparked intense media scrutiny on Wednesday.
Justice Varma has firmly denied these claims, calling them “baseless” & “preposterous.”
CJI Sets Up Panel For Investigation
In response to the growing controversy, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has established a 3-member panel to investigate the matter thoroughly. The panel consists of:
– Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
– Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court
– Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the Karnataka High Court
Former CJIs & Judges Weigh In
Former Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, weighed in on the matter where he stressed the importance of relying on the official investigation rather than indulging in speculation. “It is too serious a matter to be left to opinions, gossip, and prejudices. The CJI has set up a committee, and we must wait for its findings before drawing any conclusions,” Bobde said.
Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, also commented on the situation. He referenced similar allegations that have emerged in the past, including one at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where money was accidentally delivered to a judge. “Eventually, nothing came out of it, and the judge demitted office,” Justice Kaul noted.
Impact On Judicial Perception
Justice Kaul acknowledged that incidents like these, regardless of their final outcome, can damage the public’s trust in the judiciary. “In today’s social media era, information spreads rapidly, sometimes even before an inquiry begins. Unfortunately, there is a lack of trust among people, leading to quick accusations,” he said.
He further emphasized the importance of ensuring that only the most qualified individuals enter the judiciary, and he pointed out that established mechanisms are in place to deal with such situations. “If allegations against a judge are proven, the Chief Justice of India should have the moral authority to persuade them to step down,” Justice Kaul added.
Awaiting Investigation Results
As the public waits for the findings of the investigative panel, the judicial community is focused on uncovering the truth behind the allegations. The outcome of this probe will likely have significant implications for both Justice Varma’s reputation and public trust in the judiciary.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
