Delhi HC Judge Cash Row: Fire Chief Denies Cash Discovery, SC Clarifies Transfer Status
A fresh twist emerged in the Delhi High Court judge controversy as Fire Services Chief Atul Garg denied reports of cash recovery at Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence, while the Supreme Court clarified his transfer proposal is separate from an ongoing inquiry.
On March 21, 2025, Delhi Fire Services Chief Atul Garg refuted earlier reports of cash found at Justice Varma’s Tughlak Road home. He stated that firefighters, who tackled a blaze on March 14, did not encounter any money during the operation.
The fire broke out at 11:35 PM in a storeroom filled with stationery and household items. Two fire tenders arrived by 11:43 PM and extinguished the blaze within 15 minutes, with Justice Varma absent from Delhi at the time.
Garg clarified, “Our firefighters did not find any cash during the firefighting operation. After dousing the flames, we informed the police and left the spot.” This contradicts initial claims that triggered an inquiry.
The Supreme Court Collegium initiated an inquiry against Justice Varma on Friday following the alleged cash recovery reports. The top court has sought further details to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident.
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Amid speculation of Justice Varma’s transfer to Allahabad High Court, the Supreme Court issued a release stating, “The transfer proposal is independent and separate from the in-house inquiry procedure.” No final decision has been made.
The Supreme Court added, “There is misinformation and rumours being spread regarding the incident at Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence.” It emphasized that the transfer consideration predates the fire-related controversy.
Justice Varma, the second senior-most judge at Delhi High Court, faces a potential shift to Allahabad, where he would rank ninth in seniority. The Collegium’s inquiry and transfer discussions remain distinct processes.
The Supreme Court awaits responses from Justice Varma and other consultees before finalizing its resolution. The inquiry’s outcome will determine further actions, while the Allahabad Bar’s opposition to his transfer adds another layer to the unfolding saga.
