New Delhi, May 5, 2025 — The in-house inquiry committee constituted to probe allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma has submitted its report to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. The committee’s formation followed the emergence of a controversial incident involving the discovery of unaccounted cash after a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s residence in Delhi.
In a statement issued by the Supreme Court, it was confirmed that the three-member panel submitted its report on May 4, 2025. The committee, comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu (Punjab & Haryana High Court), Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh High Court), and Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court), was constituted on March 22 and began its investigation on March 25. Their findings were finalized by May 3.
The controversy arose after a fire incident at Justice Varma’s Delhi residence on March 14, which led to the alleged recovery of cash by firefighters. At the time of the incident, Justice Varma and his wife were in Madhya Pradesh. The video footage of partially burned currency notes, later circulated publicly, triggered widespread speculation and accusations of impropriety.
Justice Varma has categorically denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the incident appears to be part of a larger conspiracy to malign him. Following initial inquiries, he was repatriated to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court, where he recently took oath. However, under the directions of the Chief Justice of India, he has not been assigned any judicial work pending further review.
Significantly, the Supreme Court took the unusual step of releasing both the report by the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and Justice Varma’s formal response to the public. This transparency marks a rare moment in the judiciary’s handling of internal allegations.
Despite public outcry and a demand for criminal investigation, the apex court declined to entertain a plea seeking an FIR against Justice Varma, citing the ongoing in-house probe. In the meantime, reports indicate that Justice Varma consulted a team of senior legal professionals, including Senior Advocates Siddharth Agarwal and Arundhati Katju, for legal advice and support.
The report’s contents remain confidential at this stage, and no official comment has been made on its findings or possible next steps.
