Lok Sabha inquiry panel indicts ex-HC judge Yashwant Varma in cash-at-home case

NEW DELHI: A Lok Sabha inquiry committee on Wednesday indicted former Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma in the cash-at-home case.The panel found Justice Varma’s explanation for the discovery of unaccounted cash at his official residence "evasive" and "unsatisfactory". Its report, tabled in both Houses of Parliament, said all three charges against Varma were proved.The committee said the charges are threefold - firstly, discovery and possession of unexplained Indian currency notes within official premises; secondly, failure to preserve and causing interference with material evidence; and thirdly, furnishing evasive and misleading explanations.The committee examined documentary and electronic material and recorded evidence from witnesses. It also noted that Varma was given an opportunity to respond to the charges and present his defence."The statement of grounds accompanying the charges records the occurrence of fire, discovery of cash, location of the storeroom within the Government-allotted residence, the alleged conduct after the fire, and the explanation offered by the Judge," the inquiry report said."Article I is proved. Substantial unexplained Rs 500 denomination currency notes were found in the storeroom situated within the official residential premises at 30, Tughlaq Crescent, New Delhi. The Judge failed to furnish a satisfactory explanation regarding the presence, source or ownership thereof," it said.On the third charge, the committee said Varma’s explanation, including his March 22, 2025 response and subsequent statements, did not demonstrate the "candour, transparency and institutional responsibility" expected in the circumstances. It remained evasive and unsatisfactory when tested against evidence from independent officials and other corroborative material.A large amount of unaccounted, partially burnt cash was discovered in the outhouse of Varma’s official residence following a fire in March 2025. The discovery triggered allegations of judicial corruption, which Varma denied.Following an in-house inquiry ordered by the then Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted a three-member panel headed by Supreme Court judge Aravind Kumar under the Judges (Inquiry) Act. The motion for the inquiry was backed by MPs from different political parties.Varma resigned during the inquiry. It remains unclear whether Parliament will proceed with the committee’s findings, as some legal experts have argued that the Judges (Inquiry) Act can be invoked only against a serving judge.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

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