Supreme Court to Consider FIR Against Justice Yashwant Varma

Supreme Court to Hear Plea for FIR Against Justice Yashwant Varma

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea seeking a First Information Report (FIR) against Justice Yashwant Varma, a High Court judge who was embroiled in a controversy after a fire at his residence revealed partially burnt currency notes in March.

Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai told advocate Mathews Nedumpara, the petitioner in this case, that the plea will be listed for hearing once the defects in the petition are rectified. Nedumpara had requested an urgent hearing within a couple of days.

Allegations and Concerns

The petition alleges that the significant amount of burnt and partially burnt currency found at Justice Varma’s residence was evidence of bribes or corruption, constituting a crime under Indian law. It criticizes the lack of an official explanation for why an FIR hasn’t been registered and criminal proceedings haven’t been initiated. The petition argues that this inaction has prevented crucial steps like seizing the currency, securing the crime scene, and arresting potential suspects.

Previous Developments

This incident sparked a major controversy. A committee was formed to investigate the matter, and its final report was submitted to the President and the Prime Minister by former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna. Justice Varma had refused to resign or voluntarily retire.

Mr. Nedumpara cited a landmark Supreme Court ruling in the K. Veeraswami v. Union of India case, which established that a criminal case against a judge of a constitutional court can only be registered after consulting with the Chief Justice of India.

Tags

“Supreme Court, Justice Yashwant Varma, Cash Row, FIR, Corruption”