SC Publishes Videos and Photos of Burnt Notes Recovered from Justice Varma’s House
The Supreme Court of India has released photographs and videos showing the recovery of partially burnt currency notes from the official residence of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma. The visuals, made public on Saturday, confirm for the first time that cash was found at the scene after a fire broke out at the judge’s bungalow on March 14.
The footage, provided by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora to Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, captures firefighters removing charred wads of currency from plastic bags inside the judge’s house. In one of the videos, a voice is heard remarking, “Mahatma Gandhi mein aag lag gayi (Mahatma Gandhi is on fire),” referring to the burning notes bearing Gandhi’s image.
Supreme Court Orders Inquiry, Bars Justice Varma from Judicial Work
The visuals were released just hours after Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna set up a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The committee comprises senior judges from the Punjab & Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka High Courts and has been tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the money.
Following these developments, the Supreme Court directed Chief Justice Upadhyaya to bar Justice Varma from handling any judicial work until further notice.
Justice Varma Denies Allegations
In a letter dated March 21, Chief Justice Upadhyaya asked Justice Varma to explain the presence of cash found in his official residence. However, Justice Varma denied any knowledge of the money, claiming that no cash was recovered from the areas occupied by him and his family. He refrained from offering further clarification on the ownership or origin of the burnt notes.
Justice Varma’s Transfer Recommended
Amid the controversy, the Supreme Court Collegium—which includes the Chief Justice of India and four senior judges—has recommended the transfer of Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court, which is his parent court. This decision was made after reviewing the fact-finding report and the video evidence.
While the Supreme Court has emphasized that the transfer recommendation is separate from the ongoing internal investigation, the move has further intensified scrutiny of Justice Varma, who was the second senior-most judge in the Delhi High Court before the incident.
Unanswered Questions: Origin and Amount of Cash Unknown
Despite the release of visuals and the formation of an inquiry committee, several questions remain unanswered—including the total amount of money found and its source. The Supreme Court has stated that the investigation will be conducted according to established legal procedures, urging the public to avoid speculation and misinformation.
The findings of the inquiry committee are expected to guide further action in the case, with legal experts closely watching its implications for judicial accountability and transparency in India.
