The Delhi High Court has reconstituted its administrative committees, removing Justice Yashwant Varma from all of them amid allegations of corruption. Justice Varma was previously a part of several key committees, including those overseeing finance, court management, judicial training, arbitration, information technology, and case pendency.
Committees Affected by Reconstitution
Justice Varma held roles in the following committees before his removal:
- Administrative and General Supervision Committee
- Committee for Finance and Budgeting
- Senior Designations Suggestions Committee
- e-DHCR Project Implementation Oversight Committee
- Court Development and Planning/State Court Management System Committee
- Case Pendency Examination and Disposal Acceleration Committee
- Rules Committee for Reviewing Service Conditions and Statutes
- Judicial Education and Training Programme Committee
- Rules Committee on Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018
- District Mediation Centres Monitoring Committee
- Machine Translation Activities Monitoring Committee
- Arbitration Committee of Delhi International Arbitration Centre
- Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Committee
- Accessibility Committee
Controversy Following Fire Incident
The controversy began when a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s residence on the evening of March 14. During the incident, authorities reportedly discovered unaccounted cash, leading to allegations of corruption. Justice Varma has denied the accusations, claiming that the incident was part of a conspiracy to frame him.
In-House Probe Ordered by CJI
The Chief Justice of India (CJI) ordered an in-house probe on March 22 to investigate the matter. A three-member committee was set up to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. As part of the probe, the Delhi Police Commissioner shared a video of the recovery of burnt cash with the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. This video was subsequently uploaded to the Supreme Court’s website, along with a report from the Delhi High Court Chief Justice and Justice Varma’s response.
Supreme Court Collegium’s Decision
Following the incident, the Supreme Court Collegium, on March 24, decided to repatriate Justice Yashwant Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court. The decision marks a significant development in the judiciary, reflecting the Supreme Court’s commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability within the judicial system.
Justice Varma’s removal from administrative responsibilities comes amid heightened scrutiny and calls for a fair and unbiased investigation. The judiciary remains vigilant as the probe progresses, aiming to uphold its integrity and public trust.
