Supreme Court orders inquiry against Justice Yashwant Varma following cash recovery

The Supreme Court has initiated an internal investigation into Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma after unaccounted cash was discovered at his residence. The court has also sought a report from Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya regarding the matter.

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The incident came to light following a fire at Justice Varma’s house, which inadvertently led firefighters to the cash stash. Reports indicate that this revelation prompted the Supreme Court Collegium to recommend his transfer back to the Allahabad High Court, his parent court.

However, during a full-court meeting on Friday, Supreme Court judges agreed that mere transfer would be insufficient, necessitating further action. Consequently, the court resolved to conduct an in-house probe, with the transfer serving as an initial step. While the transfer process is underway, it awaits government approval.

Justice Varma was absent from court proceedings on Friday, with his staff informing that he was on leave. Meanwhile, speculation regarding his transfer to the Allahabad High Court continues.

Born in 1969, Justice Varma completed his LL.B. from Rewa University and began practicing law in 1992. He has previously served as special counsel for the Allahabad High Court and chief standing counsel for Uttar Pradesh. Elevated as a High Court judge in 2014, he was later transferred to the Delhi High Court in 2021.