Sources said the Chief Justice of India took a very serious view of the discovery of the cash and the five-member Collegium concurred, agreeing unanimously on Justice Verma’s transfer back to Allahabad.
New Delhi: A recent fire at the residence of a Delhi High Court judge has ignited a storm within India’s judicial system. The blaze, which occurred during the Holi celebrations, led to the unexpected discovery of a large stash of unaccounted cash at Justice Yashwant Verma’s official bungalow. This revelation prompted the Supreme Court Collegium to take swift action, transferring Justice Verma back to his parent court in Allahabad. The incident has raised profound concerns about corruption within the judiciary and its potential impact on public trust.
In the heart of Delhi, the fire broke out at Justice Verma’s residence while he was away. His family quickly alerted emergency services, which led to the discovery of the cash. The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, convened an urgent meeting and unanimously decided to transfer Justice Verma to Allahabad High Court. However, some members of the Collegium felt that this measure might not be sufficient, suggesting that an in-house inquiry or even resignation could be necessary to maintain the judiciary’s credibility.
The incident has left the legal community shaken, with many calling for greater transparency in judicial appointments to combat corruption. Senior advocates have expressed pain and shock, urging the judiciary to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. The process for removing a High Court judge involves an internal inquiry and potential parliamentary action under Article 124(4) of the Constitution, highlighting the gravity of such allegations.
As the judiciary grapples with this crisis, there are growing demands for a more transparent appointment process to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The incident has sparked a broader debate about corruption within the judiciary, with many advocating for stricter measures to uphold the integrity of the institution.
