Unaccounted money found at High Court Judge's residence; what does it mean for public trust?

Ours is a land where some officials who head agencies that monitor and detect black money have been arrested for accepting bribes and storing black money. Huge amounts of unaccounted money have been found in the residences of some political figures. People do not hear such news with shock or novelty. There had been numerous such news that people don't find it surprising anymore. However, the allegation that bundles of currency worth about Rs 15 crore were found in the official residence of Yashwant Verma, the second senior-most judge of the Delhi High Court, has shocked the country. This incident has created doubts among the common people as to whether bribery is engulfing all sectors.

There is a widespread belief among the people that the Indian judicial system is relatively free from corruption. It is a sector where many righteous and honest people are still working. Although this single incident will not destroy that trust, this incident revealed that corruption might even take place in the heights of judicial system.

The incidents began when a fire broke out at the official residence of Justice Yashwant Verma. He was not at the residence at the time. There were reports that the fire force team found bundles of money while extinguishing the fire. However, Delhi Fire Force Chief Atul Garg later denied this. He said that the police took over the place after the fire was extinguished.

Although no agency has officially revealed how much money was found, a press release issued by the Bar Association, after Justice Verma was transferred to Allahabad, said that around Rs 15 crore was found. People may have doubts about the credibility of the allegations by the Bar Association. Since Justice Yashwant Verma is a judge of the Delhi High Court, it is the responsibility and obligation of the Supreme Court and the Central Government to inform the people about the true status of this matter. In any case, it can be considered credible that the bundles of currency notes were found in the Justice's residence, based on the argument that there is no smoke without fire. This issue was also raised in the Delhi High Court.

Delhi Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay responded that the incident is shocking and demoralizing. A comprehensive investigation should be conducted in this matter without any delay under the supervision of the Supreme Court. If it is corrupt money, how it was obtained, and the cases that he considered as a judge, including financial issues, should be investigated. The lack of a flawless monitoring system is the reason why such incidents could take place.