A three-member inquiry committee has found all three charges against Justice Yashwant Varma proved, including the presence of substantial unexplained cash at his official residence, interference with material evidence and evasive explanations about the incident.
The committee, constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, submitted its report to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The inquiry followed the discovery of burnt and partially burnt Rs 500 notes after a fire at Justice Varma's official residence in New Delhi on the intervening night of March 14 and 15, 2025.
“The committee therefore records its final findings that Articles of Charges I, II & III are proved,” the report said, per Bar and Bench.
What the inquiry panel found
The panel was headed by Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar and included Supreme Court Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Senior Advocate BV Acharya, reported Bar and Bench.
The committee relied on statements from Delhi Fire Services and Delhi Police personnel, who described seeing bundles, heaps and stacks of ₹500 notes in the storeroom. One firefighter said the notes were spread across an area extending several feet from the entrance.
Police official Roop Chand, when asked whether the amount exceeded ₹5 lakh, said the figure was “too small”.
However, the cash was neither counted nor seized. No inventory or panchnama was prepared, and no samples were preserved. The committee said this made it impossible to determine the exact amount, but did not undermine evidence that the quantity was “huge and substantial”.
Panel flags handling of storeroom
The committee also examined what happened after firefighters left the premises. The storeroom was not immediately sealed, and security official CG Rawat said he saw Justice Varma's Private Secretary Rajinder Singh Karki and household staff member Mohd Rahil near the room.
Rawat said cleaning work was carried out around 3 am. By morning, burnt household articles had been moved outside and the cleaning had been completed.
“The currency was seen. It was not preserved. The storeroom was not sealed immediately. Cleaning activity occurred after the first responders had left. The material was not later available,” the committee said.
The panel also rejected Justice Varma's argument that the storeroom was detached from his living quarters and accessible to staff and maintenance personnel.
Justice Varma's explanations questioned
According to the report, Justice Varma's explanations changed during the proceedings. His initial response denied knowledge of the cash, while his later defence raised possibilities including fake currency, planting, conspiracy and involvement of staff.
The committee noted that no complaint or FIR alleging planting, theft, tampering or foul play was produced.
Justice Varma withdrew from the proceedings after the presenting side completed its evidence. He did not enter the witness box or call members of his family, personal office, household staff or security establishment as witnesses.
The panel consequently held that his explanations were evasive, incomplete and misleading in effect.
Justice Varma had resigned from office in April this year, before the removal process could be completed. His resignation is yet to be accepted and notified.