Former HC Judge Nirmal Yadav Acquitted in 2008 Cash-at-Door Case After 17 Years

A special CBI court in Chandigarh acquitted former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice (Retd) Nirmal Yadav on Saturday in the sensational 2008 ‘cash-at-judge’s door’ case, ending a 17-year legal battle. The case, which stirred the judiciary, involved Rs 15 lakh allegedly intended as a bribe for Justice Yadav but mistakenly delivered to another judge’s residence.

The verdict, delivered by Special CBI Judge Alka Malik, also cleared four other accused—Sanjeev Bansal, Ravinder Singh, Rajiv Gupta, and one more individual—bringing closure to a case that began on August 13, 2008. The fifth accused, Bansal, passed away in 2017 during the trial. The incident unfolded when a clerk delivered a cash packet worth Rs 15 lakh to Justice Nirmaljit Kaur’s home in Chandigarh, reportedly meant for Justice Yadav due to their similar names.

Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, a sitting judge at the time, promptly informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice and Chandigarh Police after receiving the unexpected parcel. An FIR was filed, and the case was handed over to the CBI, which launched a fresh investigation. The CBI alleged the money was a bribe to influence a property deal, a charge Justice Yadav consistently denied throughout the trial.

In March 2011, the CBI chargesheeted Justice Yadav under the Prevention of Corruption Act on her retirement day from the Uttarakhand High Court, where she had been transferred in 2009. The agency’s initial closure report in 2009 was rejected, prompting a reinvestigation.

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After examining 69 of 84 witnesses and a final hearing on Thursday, the court acquitted all accused. Defence counsel Vishal Garg Narwana stated, “Justice (Retd) Nirmal Yadav has been acquitted. False allegations were levelled against her.”

Justice Yadav expressed relief at the verdict, saying, “I have faith in the judiciary. I have not committed any crime, and there is nothing incriminating found during the entire trial against me.” Her acquittal comes after a prolonged legal process, including a Supreme Court dismissal of her plea to halt trial proceedings in 2014. The court’s decision followed the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s directive in February to re-examine 10 witnesses, ensuring a thorough review of evidence.

The ruling coincides with an ongoing probe into the discovery of semi-burnt currency sacks at Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma’s residence on March 14. A committee led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is investigating, though Justice Varma has denied knowledge of the cash. The parallel timing has drawn attention to judicial accountability, though the two cases remain unrelated.

With Justice Yadav and the co-accused acquitted, the 17-year saga concludes, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases. The detailed court order is awaited, which may shed light on the reasoning behind the acquittal. Attention now shifts to the ongoing Delhi investigation, while this verdict reinforces judicial scrutiny in high-profile corruption allegations.