CJI Sanjiv Khanna orders in-house inquiry into Justice Yashwant Varma case

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday arrange a three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry into allegations in opposition to Justice Yashwant Varma after a big stash of money was allegedly discovered at his official residence following a hearth. The CJI additionally directed that no judicial work be assigned to him throughout the probe.

The inquiry was ordered after the CJI acquired a report from Delhi Excessive Court docket Chief Justice D.Okay. Upadhyay. The committee includes Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana Excessive Court docket; Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh Excessive Court docket; and Justice Anu Sivaraman of the Karnataka Excessive Court docket.

Fireplace incident results in money stash discovery

The controversy erupted after a hearth broke out at Justice Varma’s residence in Lutyens’ Delhi on the evening of Holi, March 14, round 11:35 p.m. Fireplace division personnel rushed to the scene and reportedly found a big amount of money whereas dousing the flames.

On Friday, the Supreme Court docket said that the Delhi Excessive Court docket chief justice had already initiated an in-house inquiry into the matter. Moreover, a proposal was into account to switch Justice Varma to the Allahabad Excessive Court docket.

“There may be misinformation and rumors being unfold relating to the incident,” the Supreme Court docket stated, clarifying that Chief Justice Upadhyaya had already commenced the inquiry earlier than the apex courtroom collegium’s assembly on March 20.

Collegium examines switch proposal

The Supreme Court docket collegium, comprising the CJI and 4 senior-most judges, examined Justice Varma’s switch proposal on March 20. Letters had been despatched to consultees, together with Supreme Court docket judges and excessive courtroom chief justices.

“Responses acquired can be examined, and thereafter the collegium will move a decision,” the apex courtroom said.

Political reactions and considerations over Judiciary’s integrity

The incident has sparked political reactions, with the opposition Congress celebration elevating considerations over judicial integrity. Congress leaders Okay.C. Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala referred to as for strict motion to take care of public belief within the judiciary whereas warning in opposition to any govt overreach in judicial appointments.

Venugopal stated the nation is trying to the Supreme Court docket for decisive motion, whereas Surjewala burdened the necessity for judicial accountability.

Justice Yashwant Varma’s background

Justice Varma enrolled as an advocate in 1992 and was appointed a further decide of the Allahabad Excessive Court docket in 2014. He grew to become a everlasting decide in 2016 earlier than being elevated to the Delhi Excessive Court docket in 2021. He at the moment heads a division bench dealing with circumstances associated to gross sales tax, Items and Companies Tax (GST), and firm appeals.

Supreme Court docket’s in-house inquiry mechanism

The Supreme Court docket follows an inner inquiry course of for allegations in opposition to constitutional courtroom judges. After a preliminary assessment, the CJI types a committee of three Supreme Court docket judges to analyze, following which additional motion is set.

A sitting decide can solely be eliminated via an impeachment movement handed by Parliament.

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