Twist in Justice Yashwant Verma’s Case: Pictures, Videos and Report Made Public
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a dramatic twist to the case involving a fire at the residence of Justice Yashwant Verma and the recovery of large sums of cash, the Supreme Court has made all related records public. On the orders of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjeev Khanna, images and videos showing bundles of burnt currency notes found inside Justice Verma’s house have been released to the public.
This unprecedented move, which includes the release of an investigation report by Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyay, also marks the first time in Supreme Court history that all records related to such a case have been made accessible to the public. Alongside this, the response from Justice Verma has also been shared online.
Investigation and Committee Formed
In addition to the public release of documents, CJI Sanjeev Khanna has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the allegations against Justice Verma. The committee comprises Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice GS Sandhawalia, and Justice Anu Sivaraman of Karnataka High Court.
What Happened?
The controversy began when, on the night of Holi, a fire broke out at Justice Verma’s official residence, during which cash was allegedly recovered. The investigation report, made public late on Saturday, detailed how four to five half-burnt bundles of currency were found in the residence. In his statement, Justice Verma denied any involvement, asserting that neither he nor his family had stored cash in the house.
Chief Justice Upadhyay’s report, which is 25 pages long, includes photographs and videos from the fire extinguishing operation. The investigation also pointed to the findings of the Commissioner of Police, who reported that the debris and other partially burnt items were removed from the room where the fire occurred. The report indicates that the only people with access to the room were those living in the bungalow, domestic helpers, and certain CPWD personnel.
In his report, Justice Upadhyay concluded that a thorough investigation was necessary, though he found no evidence of unauthorized entry into the room. The report calls for a deeper investigation into the matter.
Public and Political Reactions
The incident has sparked debate in political circles. On Friday, the matter was raised in the Rajya Sabha. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar indicated that there would be a discussion on judicial accountability. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised concerns over judicial accountability and reminded the house about the pending impeachment motion against a judge of the Allahabad High Court.
Who is Justice Verma?
Justice Yashwant Verma, appointed as an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court in 2014, was sworn in as a permanent judge of the same court in 2016. He was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court in October 2021. The Supreme Court has an internal investigation mechanism to deal with allegations against judges, and this case is being handled through that process.
A Human Element: The Strain of the Case
Despite the gravity of the case, Justice Verma’s family has found themselves at the center of a media storm. In a rare moment of vulnerability, a close relative of the judge, speaking anonymously, shared, “It’s been overwhelming. A judge's life isn’t meant to be lived under constant scrutiny, but here we are, fighting not just the legal system, but public perception too.”
As investigations continue, the case remains a point of contention, with many questioning whether justice can truly be impartial when those who dispense it are themselves under investigation.
