CJI Shares Inquiry Report on Justice Varma Cash Discovery with President, PM
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has shared an inquiry committee's report concerning the discovery of cash at Justice Prasanna B Varale's residence with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The report, along with Justice Varale's (referred to as Justice Varma in some reports) response, follows an investigation into the incident that occurred after a fire at the judge's Lutyens Delhi home. The panel interviewed over 50 people, including police and fire officials.
Unpacked:
Reports indicate that partially burned sacks of cash, allegedly totaling around Rs 15 crore, were discovered at Justice Varale’s (sometimes referred to as Justice Varma) residence after a fire incident. However, Justice Varale has denied that any such cash was found at the site, raising doubts about the authenticity of the allegations.
The inquiry was prompted by a fire that broke out at Justice Varale’s Lutyens Delhi residence on March 14. During the aftermath, allegations surfaced about the recovery of large amounts of cash from the scene, leading to an in-house judicial probe and interviews with over 50 individuals including police and fire officials.
Justice Varale has strongly denied that any burnt or unaccounted cash was found at his residence. He called the allegations 'totally preposterous,' questioned the authenticity of the claims and videos, and pointed to official reports that made no mention of cash recovery during initial inspections.
If the allegations are substantiated, Justice Varale could face severe disciplinary action, including possible impeachment or being asked to resign, as recommended by the in-house panel’s findings in similar recent cases involving judges.