Delhi High Court Judge Transferred Following Cash Discovery Amid Bungalow Fire

New Delhi, March 21, 2025 — A fire at the official residence of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma led to the unexpected discovery of a substantial amount of cash, prompting the Supreme Court Collegium to recommend his transfer back to the Allahabad High Court. ​

Incident Details

The incident occurred while Justice Varma was out of town. His family members alerted emergency services to a fire at their Delhi bungalow. Upon extinguishing the blaze, fire brigade personnel uncovered a significant sum of cash in various rooms. This discovery was officially recorded, raising concerns about potential misconduct.

Supreme Court Collegium's Response

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna convened an urgent meeting of the Supreme Court Collegium to address the situation. The Collegium unanimously decided to transfer Justice Varma to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court. Some members advocated for more severe measures, including requesting his resignation or initiating an in-house inquiry, to uphold the judiciary's integrity.

Background on Justice Yashwant Varma

• Birth and Education: Born on January 6, 1969, in Allahabad, Justice Varma completed his BCom (Hons) from Hansraj College, Delhi University, and later earned an LLB from Rewa University, Madhya Pradesh. ​

• Legal Career: Enrolled as an advocate on August 8, 1992, he specialized in constitutional law, labor and industrial legislations, corporate laws, and taxation. He served as special counsel for the Allahabad High Court from 2006 and as chief standing counsel for Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2013 before being designated as a senior advocate. ​

• Judicial Appointments: Appointed as an additional judge at the Allahabad High Court on October 13, 2014, he became a permanent judge on February 1, 2016. He was transferred to the Delhi High Court on October 11, 2021.

The Collegium's recommendation for Justice Varma's transfer awaits approval from the Central government. The judiciary emphasizes its commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring that any actions taken reflect these principles.​