Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, did not attend court proceedings on Friday, amid an in-house inquiry launched after a fire broke out at his official residence in New Delhi on March 14, triggering reports of unaccounted cash found at the scene.
The incident, though yet to be confirmed officially, has caused concern within judicial circles, leading to oral observations by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, who said the court was “conscious” of the matter when the issue was raised by Senior Advocate Arun Bhardwaj.
Key Highlights:
What Happened at Justice Yashwant Varma’s Residence?
According to Delhi Fire Service (DFS) sources, a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s official bungalow around 11:30 PM on March 14. A call was made from the Safdarjung Fire Station at 11:35 PM, and fire personnel responded swiftly.
While the official DFS report mentioned the fire was in “stationery and domestic articles,” unverified reports of cash found at the site have triggered internal discussions and a judicial inquiry.
Delhi Police confirmed a Daily Diary (DD) entry was made, but no complaint was filed. DFS chief Atul Garg stated they had no information about any cash recovery.
Reaction Within Judiciary and Bar
Senior lawyers, including Arun Bhardwaj, voiced disappointment. “Today’s incident has pained many of us,” he said before the Chief Justice’s bench. “Please take steps so that such incidents do not occur in future… We are shaken.”
Chief Justice Upadhyaya responded, “So is everybody… We are conscious.”
Who Is Justice Yashwant Varma?
Justice Verma (also referred to as Yashwant Verma) is a Delhi High Court judge appointed on October 11, 2021, after a tenure at the Allahabad High Court.
🔹 Began legal practice in 1992
🔹 Served as additional judge of Allahabad HC in 2014
🔹 Became permanent judge in 2016
🔹 Elevated to Delhi High Court in 2021
At the Delhi HC, Justice Varma has been a part of 11 key administrative committees, including:
- Finance and Budgeting Committee
- Committee for General Supervision
- Chairman, Arbitration Committee – Delhi International Arbitration Centre
- Chairman, Delhi HC Legal Services Committee
He has presided over major taxation, constitutional, and arbitration-related matters, including the 2024 dismissal of Congress’s plea against income tax reassessment.
In a notable earlier verdict in 2018, Justice Yashwant Varma granted bail to Dr. Kafeel Khan, who was blamed for a tragic medical negligence case in Gorakhpur, where 63 children died due to lack of oxygen supply.
What’s Next in the Inquiry?
The Delhi High Court’s administrative side is reportedly evaluating whether to consider a proposal for Justice Varma’s transfer. While no official statement has been released, growing unease in the legal fraternity suggests the matter may be escalated.
Calls to Justice Yashwant Verma’s office remained unanswered, and no formal clarification has been issued by him or the High Court yet.
The incident surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma Delhi High Court judge has sent ripples across India’s legal community. With speculation mounting and official silence persisting, the coming days may prove pivotal in determining both accountability and transparency within the judiciary.
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