Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi. Congress MPs demand statement by Mr. Meghwal in the Lok Sabha on the issue of Justice Varma.
| Photo Credit: ANI/Sansad TV
Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha on Thursday (March 27, 2025) raised the issue of the alleged discovery of a large stash of partially burnt cash from the official residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, with Congress MP Manish Tewari demanding that Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal make a statement in the Lok Sabha on the facts available in the case.
Mr. Tewari brought up the issue during Zero Hour. Reports on the incident had “disturbed the conscience of all right-thinking citizens across the country”, he said.
While it was too premature to apportion guilt or otherwise, the Congress leader said, Parliament was nevertheless charged with the responsibility of exercising superintendence and oversight over the judiciary.
“While the Chief Justice of India has appointed an in-house inquiry, I think we should respect the process and wait for that report. However, in the meantime, the Law Minister should come to this House and must relay the chronology of events as they have transpired,” Mr. Tewari said.
“Nobody is saying that anyone is innocent or guilty. Nobody is trying to apportion guilt. Let the in-house inquiry process play itself out. But under Articles of the Constitution and the Judge’s (Inquiry) Act, this Parliament has the responsibility of exercising that superintendence,” he added.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee also raised the issue, saying that unaccountable money had been recovered from a judge of the Delhi High Court.
“Why will the Lokpal not be allowed to carry on an investigation when a complaint has come against a judge, who is a public servant like us? This judge has been transferred from Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court…Allahabad High Court and Calcutta High Court cannot be dumping grounds. All corrupt judges [are] being sent to Allahabad and Calcutta High Courts,” Mr. Banerjee said.
Congress MP R. Sudha also raised the issue during Zero Hour, stating that despite a week having gone by since reports of the case surfaced, nobody from the government had issued a statement. “There have been curious developments since then. The Fire Service and police report to the Union (Home) Minister. When did he come to know? And why did he keep silent even though Parliament was in session?” Ms. Sudha said.
“Why did Fire [Services] chief make a statement that not a penny was recovered? Why attempt was made to save the judge?” she added.
The alleged discovery of cash occurred following a fire at Justice Varma’s residence in Delhi’s Lutyens area at about 11.35 p.m. on March 14, prompting the Fire Services officers to rush to the spot.
In the wake of the controversy, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the repatriation of Justice Varma, from whom work was withdrawn by the Delhi High Court following a directive from the Chief Justice of India, to his parent Allahabad High Court.
On March 22, the CJI constituted a three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry into the allegations, and decided to upload the inquiry report by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay of the Delhi High Court in the incident. This included photos and videos of the alleged discovery of cash.
Justice Varma has denounced the allegations and said no cash was ever placed in the storeroom of his premises either by him or any member of his family.
Published – March 27, 2025 04:57 pm IST