Burnt cash stash mysteriously disappears; SC intensifies action against Delhi judge

NEW DELHI: The huge stash of Rs 500 notes found in a storeroom adjacent to the residence of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma disappeared out of nowhere. Through their official website, the Supreme Court released images of burnt currency notes found in sacks from Varma's residence.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna directed Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya to inform the apex court of details regarding who cleared the cash stash from the area.

The court also sought the source of the money, details of the employees and security personnel who worked at the residence in the last six months, and details of the judge's phone calls for the past six months. They also gave strict instructions to ensure that the mobile phone and data were not destroyed.

Malayali lawyer Mathews J. Nedumpara approached the Supreme Court, seeking to register an FIR against the judge and initiate criminal prosecution. Security personnel gave a statement about spotting the burnt currency notes being removed from the area. Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora has informed Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya about this in writing.

Reports suggest Yashwant Varma is under pressure to resign. This is to avoid impeachment. The Supreme Court has removed him from judicial duties. The issue is likely to come up in Parliament on Monday. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is likely to make a statement.

A three-member committee comprising Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, and Malayali Judge Anu Sivaraman of the Karnataka High Court, has begun the investigation.

Yashwant Varma, who was not at home at the time of the fire accident, denied allegations of cash stash as preposterous. Varma said he saw no remnants of burned currency notes or sacks when arrived at the house after the incident with the Registrar-cum-Secretary of the Chief Justice of the High Court.

“I was shocked to see the footage handed over by the commissioner. It is a conspiracy to trap and defame me.” Said Yashwant Varma.

Sanitation workers confirmed seeing brunt currency notes in front of the judge's residence on Delhi's Tughlak Crescent Road. Journalists have also found remnants of burnt notes in the area,