Cash Stash Found in Justice Varma's Home! SC initiates In-House Investigation

After a sizable sum of money was found in a Delhi High Court judge's official apartment after a fire, the Supreme Court opened an investigation into the accusations made against him. The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court has been asked by the top court to provide a report on the issue.

On the suggestion of the Supreme Court Collegium, Justice Yashwant Verma was recently returned to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court. This action was taken after a significant sum of money was found in his bungalow following a fire.

Legal experts state that the Chief Justice of the relevant High Court must produce a report whenever there are accusations of wrongdoing against a judge. On the Chief Justice of India's initiative, an internal committee is established in the event that accusations are made against a Supreme Court judge.

In earlier cases involving former Calcutta High Court judge Justice CS Karnan and Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Yadav, same protocols were followed.

CJI Sanjiv Khanna called a meeting of the Collegium after learning about the situation. The decision to return Justice Verma to the Allahabad High Court, where he had previously served till October 2021, was made unanimously.

A few Collegium judges expressed worry that simply moving Justice Verma would damage the judiciary's reputation and undermine public trust in the legal system. They willingly asked Justice Verma to resign. Parliament may start the impeachment procedure if he declines.