The Supreme Court on Friday said misinformation and rumours were being spread over the incident related to Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose official residence a large stash of cash was allegedly discovered after a fire.
The proposal for Justice Varma's transfer to Allahabad High Court, the court statement said, was independent and separate from in-house enquiry procedure.
The apex court said upon receiving information, the Delhi High Court Chief Justice commenced an in-house enquiry procedure collecting evidence and information.
High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya, who had commenced enquiry prior to March 20 collegium meeting, would submit a report to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna today itself, it added.
Following its examination, the court would proceed for "further and necessary" action.
No cash found at Delhi HC judge’s residence: DFS chief
Meanwhile, Delhi Fire Services Chief Atul Garg said fire fighters found no cash during their operation to douse flames at the residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma.
The control room received a call about a blaze at Varma’s Lutyens’ Delhi residence at 11.35 pm on March 14 and two fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot, said Garg.
Fire tenders reached the spot at 11.43 pm. The fire was in a store room stocked with stationery and domestic articles, Garg said, adding that it took 15 minutes to control the flames. There were no casualties. “Our fire fighters did not find any cash during their firefighting operation,” the DFS chief said.
SC collegium moves to transfer Varma
On Friday, the Supreme Court collegium reportedly called for Justice Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad High Court.
The proposed transfer will take effect once the Central government approves the collegium's recommendation, which has not yet been officially sent.
Meanwhile, Justice Varma, the second senior-most judge of the Delhi High Court, did not preside over court proceedings on Friday.
Not trash bin: Allahabad HC Bar Association
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association opposed the transfer Justice Varma, saying it was not a "trash bin".
"We were taken aback that the Supreme Court has transferred Justice Yashwant Varma back to Allahabad High Court," the association said,
The resolution, naming association president and senior advocate Anil Tiwari as the signatory, claims that the discovery of the "unaccounted money" from the judge's house was of "Rs 15 crore".
The statement also referred to issues such as the shortage of judges and the supreme court "time and again" censuring the high court.
Lawyers demand stricter measures
The controversy emerged after government officials reportedly informed the Supreme Court Collegium about the recovery of large sums of cash following a fire at Justice Varma's residence. The revelation led to discussions within the collegium, with some senior members advocating for stricter measures beyond his transfer.
According to reports, certain members believe that Justice Varma should be asked to resign, and if he refuses, an in-house inquiry could be initiated as per Supreme Court precedents.
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