By – Aditya Shrivastava
New Delhi – In a shocking revelation that has rocked the Indian judiciary, an internal inquiry committee formed by the Supreme Court has submitted a damning report on Justice Yashwant Verma, recommending his dismissal following the recovery of a large amount of burnt cash from his official residence in Delhi earlier this year.
The investigation, which was initiated after a fire broke out at Justice Verma’s government bungalow in Delhi’s high-security Lutyens zone in March, has unearthed serious allegations of misconduct and raised critical questions about judicial accountability and integrity.
Background: The Mysterious Fire and Discovery of Burnt Cash
The controversy began on the night of March 14 at approximately 11:35 PM, when a fire was reported at 30 Tughlaq Crescent, the official residence of Justice Yashwant Verma. Firefighters and police personnel responded swiftly and managed to douse the flames. However, upon entering the premises, they were stunned to discover a large quantity of partially burnt ₹500 denomination currency notes inside the storeroom of the bungalow.
Eyewitnesses, including first responders, described the scene as “unprecedented,” with many stating they had never seen so much cash in one place.
The Supreme Court’s Response: Formation of a High-Level Inquiry Committee
In response to the incident and its potential ramifications, the Supreme Court constituted a three-member internal inquiry committee to probe the matter. The panel comprised:
- Chief Justice Sheel Nagu (Punjab and Haryana High Court)
- Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh High Court)
- Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court)
The committee submitted its report to then Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv Khanna on May 4, who in turn forwarded it to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Explosive Findings of the Report
The inquiry report makes several serious and startling revelations:
- The burnt cash was discovered inside the official storeroom of Justice Verma’s residence.
- The committee established that Justice Verma and his family had direct and exclusive control over the storeroom where the money was found.
- Strong circumstantial evidence indicates that the cash was removed from the premises on the morning of March 15, after the fire incident the previous night.
- Justice Verma’s explanations — including references to CCTV surveillance and security measures — were found to be inconsistent and unreliable.
Role of the Family: Daughter’s Testimony Under Scrutiny
The report also scrutinizes the testimony of Justice Verma’s daughter. The committee described her as a confident, educated, and independent woman, and questioned the credibility of her claim that she was “completely panicked” during the incident. The panel concluded that her statements did not align with the facts and failed to establish innocence.
Key Questions Investigated
The committee focused on three pivotal questions:
- How did the cash enter the storeroom?
- What was the source of the money?
- Who removed the cash from the premises on March 15?
Despite limited direct evidence, the committee relied on witness accounts, timelines, and circumstantial indicators to build a strong case suggesting the involvement of Justice Verma and his immediate family.
Recommendation for Dismissal and Impeachment Proceedings
Given the gravity of the findings, the committee has recommended the dismissal of Justice Yashwant Verma. In line with this, Justice Sanjiv Khanna wrote to the President and Prime Minister, recommending the initiation of constitutional proceedings for his removal under the judicial impeachment process.
If the Parliament accepts the recommendation, Justice Verma could become one of the very few judges in Indian history to face such constitutional action.
Judicial Ethics and Public Trust Highlighted
Quoting the 1997 “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life”, the report emphasized that judges are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards. It stated:
“Integrity and character form the foundation of the judiciary. Public confidence is the true source of a judge’s authority.”
What’s Next?
The matter now rests with the President and the Parliament. If a motion is passed in both Houses of Parliament for his removal, Justice Verma will be stripped of his post, marking a rare and serious disciplinary action against a sitting High Court judge.