Justice Yashwant Varma Rejects Cash Recovery Claims as ‘Preposterous’
Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma has strongly denied allegations of cash recovery from his residence, calling them “incredulous” and “totally preposterous” in a detailed response submitted amid an ongoing judicial probe.
On March 22, 2025, Justice Varma submitted his response to the Delhi High Court, refuting claims that cash was found in his residence after a fire on March 14. He clarified that the room in question was a storeroom, not part of his living quarters.
The judge explained that a fire broke out in a storeroom near the staff quarters on Holi night. “My daughter and private secretary alerted the fire service around midnight,” he wrote, adding that no cash was discovered after the blaze was extinguished.
Justice Varma stated, “This room is unlocked, accessible from both the front gate and staff quarters’ back door, and disconnected from the main residence.” He described it as a common storage space for furniture, crockery, and CPWD items.
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He asserted, “No cash was ever placed in that storeroom by me or my family. The idea that we’d store cash in an open, freely accessible room is totally preposterous.” The judge emphasized the allegations’ lack of credibility.
Appealing to the Delhi HC Chief Justice, Varma wrote, “Nothing is more important in a judge’s life than their reputation, which has been severely tarnished by baseless allegations.” He sought clearance from what he called unfounded claims.
Earlier on Saturday, CJI Sanjiv Khanna formed a three-member panel—including Justice Sheel Nagu, Justice GS Sandhawalia, and Justice Anu Sivaraman—to investigate the cash recovery allegations, with Justice Varma barred from judicial work.
The panel will review Justice Varma’s response alongside other evidence, including the Delhi HC Chief Justice’s report. The inquiry’s findings, expected soon, will determine the next steps in this high-profile judicial controversy.
