Last Updated:
The Supreme Court Collegium is contemplating on an in-house inquiry against the judge as well.
The Supreme Court Collegium has decided that Justice Yashwant Verma will be transferred, sources informed. (PTI File Image)
The Supreme Court Collegium in an emergency meeting on Thursday decided that Justice Yashwant Verma will be transferred – from the Delhi High Court back to Allahabad. According to sources, the Collegium’s decision came after a large amount of unaccounted cash was found in his official bungalow last week.
The money was recovered from the official bungalow of Justice Yashwant Verma after a fire broke out at his residence on Tughlak Road. Justice Verma was not in the city when the incident took place and his family members called the fire brigade and police. After the fire was doused, first responders found a huge amount of cash inside a room, leading to an inquiry against him.
related stories
Following the recovery of unaccounted cash from Justice Verma’s house, the Collegium, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna decided to transfer Justice Verma, sources informed News18.
Sources informed that the Chief Justice took a very serious view of the discovery of the cash, agreeing on Justice Verma’s transfer. The meeting of the Collegium was held after the adverse reports were received against the judge including one from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In addition to this, the top court Collegium is also contemplating on an in-house inquiry against the judge as well.
Notably, Justice Verma was transferred to Delhi High Court In October 2021.
What Happened?
- On March 14, at around 11:30 pm, a call was received regarding fire at the Justice Yashwant Verma house at Tughlak Road in the national capital.
- Following the Call, the Delhi Fire Service & Delhi Police reached the spot.
- During the operation, a huge pile of cash was reportedly recovered from the house.
- Delhi Police informed the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the incident and sent a report to them.
- The MHA then sent the report to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.
- In view of this, a Collegium meeting was held on March 20 where resolution recommending his transfer back to parent High Court was made.
What Action Can Be Taken?
Earlier in 1999, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines to deal with allegations of corruption, wrongdoing, and judicial irregularity against judges of the Constitutional Court.
As per the guidelines, if a complaint is received against a judge, the Chief Justice will first seek a reply from the judge concerned. If he is dissatisfied with the answer or feels the matter requires further investigation, he will form an internal committee. During the inquiry, if the committee feels that the alleged misconduct is of a grave nature requiring removal, it will ask the judge to resign.