Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 12: A parliamentary committee constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to investigate the recovery of cash from the official residence of former Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma has held him responsible in the matter, concluding that he failed to satisfactorily explain the presence of the money.

According to the committee's report, tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, large quantities of unexplained Rs 500 currency notes were found in a storeroom at Justice Varma's official residence at 30, Tughlak Crescent in New Delhi.

The controversy erupted after a fire broke out at the residence on the night of March 14, 2025. Firefighters responding to the blaze allegedly found substantial quantities of partially burnt cash in the storeroom.

The committee said Justice Varma failed to provide a credible explanation regarding the source, ownership or presence of the currency notes.

The panel also raised concerns over the subsequent handling of the investigation, observing that key evidence was neither properly secured nor preserved. It noted that the condition of the storeroom was altered before it could be lawfully sealed and examined.

The report further pointed to the unexplained disappearance or unavailability of the recovered currency notes. It attributed the loss of material evidence to failures in preserving the scene and the disturbance of the storeroom by personnel attached to the residence.

However, the committee said it found no evidence establishing that Justice Varma personally removed the cash.

Criticising Justice Varma's response, including his written explanation dated March 22, 2025, the panel said it was unsatisfactory and lacked candour, transparency and institutional accountability.

The report comprises two volumes and includes oral testimonies and documentary evidence gathered during the inquiry.

Earlier, an in-house panel constituted by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had concluded that Justice Varma exercised “active or tacit control” over the storeroom where the cash was found.

Justice Varma was serving in the Delhi High Court when the controversy emerged and was later transferred to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court.

Parliament subsequently initiated proceedings for his removal. However, after Justice Varma resigned from office, the removal process effectively became infructuous.