‘This Petition Shouldn’t Have Been Filed’: SC Slams Justice Yashwant Varma In Cash Row

The Supreme Court on Monday delivered a sharp rebuke to Justice Yashwant Varma over his petition challenging an in-house inquiry report related to the “cash-at-residence” scandal. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih sternly observed that “this petition shouldn’t have been filed” while questioning its very maintainability.

During the hearing, the bench came down heavily on Justice Varma’s plea, which contests the findings of a three-judge inquiry panel and a recommendation by a former Chief Justice of India for his removal. The court pointedly asked his counsel, “Why did you appear before the inquiry committee? Did you take a chance of a favourable order there first?”

Representing Justice Varma, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that a judge’s conduct cannot be publicly debated before the constitutionally mandated process of removal under Article 124 is initiated in Parliament. He pointed out that a tape related to the case was released on March 22, leading to widespread discussion. “The whole country talked about it… The man already stands convicted,” Sibal contended.

The bench, however, remained firm in its stance, questioning the validity of a petition where the primary relief sought was effectively against the Supreme Court itself. The case had been previously mentioned on July 23, with a team of prominent senior advocates including Kapil Sibal, Mukul Rohatgi, and Rakesh Dwivedi appearing for Justice Varma.