New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has announced a three-member panel to examine allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, after a large amount of burnt and partially burnt cash was recovered from his residence in March this year. The blaze at his official residence occurred on March 14, when he was serving as a Delhi High Court judge.
The panel appointed by Om Birla comprises Justice Aravind Kumar of the Supreme Court, Madras High Court Chief Justice Maninder Mohan, and senior advocate BV Acharaya.
Supreme Court rejects Justice Varma’s plea
Last week, the Supreme Court dismissed Justice Varma’s plea to set aside a report by an apex court-appointed in-house committee, which had found him guilty of misconduct. On 21 March, the chief justice of India (CJI) sought his written response, which Justice Varma submitted the next day, denying the accusations.
CJI Sanjiv Khanna then formed the three-member inquiry committee, and the Supreme Court uploaded the report, replete with photos and videos, on its website.
On July 30, the apex court came down heavily on Justice Varma, saying his conduct failed to inspire confidence. The Court backed the CJI’s authority to act on judicial misconduct, stating he could not be reduced to a “post office” but had a duty to the nation.
The case of ‘XXX v. The Union of India’
Justice Varma challenged the Supreme Court panel’s report in the case, titled ‘XXX v. The Union of India’, to protect his identity. As a rap on the judge’s knuckles, the apex court asked Justice Varma why he chose to appear before the in-house inquiry committee if he was not in favour of its constitution. The Court also questioned the delay in Justice Varma challenging the panel report, saying that he should have contested it then and there.