Delhi HC Rejects Plea to Probe Ex-Judge Varma: "Wild Witch Hunt"
Delhi HC Rejects Plea to Probe Ex-Judge Varma: "Wild Witch Hunt"
Delhi High Court dismisses a plea for FIR and probe into ex-Judge Yashwant Varma's controversial cash discovery, calling it a "wild witch hunt." What's next for this high-profile legal battle?
The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition seeking a police investigation and the registration of an FIR against former Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, regarding the purported discovery of a large sum of cash at his residence. Justice Amit Bansal dismissed the plea, terming it a "wild witch hunt" and questioning the petitioner's motive, asking, "You have nothing better to do?"
The petitioner, lawyer Ghanshyam Upadhyay, had sought a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the CBI into the incident. He argued that the matter was "extraordinary" and that a lower court "can't do justice to the matter," emphasizing that "criminal law can be set into motion by anyone." However, the court pointed out that Upadhyay had alternative legal remedies and questioned why he didn't approach the trial court first.
After the court indicated its intention to dismiss the plea, Upadhyay withdrew his petition to explore other legal avenues.
This isn't the first attempt; a similar plea was dismissed by the Supreme Court in August.
The controversy stems from an incident on March 14, 2025, when a fire broke out at Justice Varma's Lutyens' Delhi residence. During the fire-fighting efforts, a significant amount of cash was reportedly discovered. This discovery led to widespread speculation and ultimately saw Justice Varma transferred to the Allahabad High Court, his parent high court.
The incident also triggered impeachment proceedings against him in the Lok Sabha.
Justice Varma, who was due to superannuate on January 5, 2031, resigned from his post on April 9 this year, rendering the Lok Sabha's rare removal proceedings "infructuous." His resignation was submitted in a letter to President Droupadi Murmu. The high court's latest decision adds another layer to this unfolding legal and political drama.
