A Special CBI Court in Chandigarh has acquitted retired Justice Nirmal Yadav in the long-standing 2008 "cash at judge’s door" case.
In its comprehensive 90-page judgment, the court dismissed all allegations against Justice Yadav, citing a lack of substantial legal evidence. After a 17-year-long legal battle, the court ultimately concluded that the prosecution's case was based on hypothetical assumptions rather than concrete proof.
The case stemmed from an incident in which a bag containing Rs 15 lakh was mistakenly delivered to the residence of a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged that the money was intended for Justice Yadav but was wrongly delivered to another judge due to the similarity in their names. According to the CBI, the cash was a bribe meant to influence a judgment concerning a land dispute in Panchkula.
However, the court questioned the credibility of the CBI’s key witness, RK Jain, who had previously lost a case adjudicated by Justice Yadav. The court found Jain's testimony to be unreliable, noting that it was filled with inconsistencies, assumptions, and falsehoods.
Additionally, the court criticised the CBI for relying on Jain’s statement, which was recorded two years after his initial deposition, further diminishing its credibility.
Also Read: Ex-HC Judge Nirmal Yadav acquitted in cash-at-door case
The judgment also highlighted the investigative lapses in the CBI’s approach, emphasizing the absence of direct evidence linking Justice Yadav to any unlawful transaction.
The court remarked that it would be "immature and imprudent" to accept the CBI’s assertion that a sitting High Court judge would accept an illegal gratification in a case that had already been decided five months prior to the alleged bribe.
With this verdict, Justice Nirmal Yadav stands exonerated, marking the end of a protracted legal saga that has spanned nearly two decades. The case serves as a critical reminder of the necessity of thorough and unbiased investigations in matters involving judicial integrity.
Also Read: CBI court to deliver verdict in 2008 cash-for-judge case
Follow us
