NEW DELHI: A disturbing video shared by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay has thrust sitting Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma into the center of a deepening investigation. The footage, reportedly showing burnt cash at Justice Varma’s residence on the night of March 14, has fueled calls for a thorough probe, despite the judge’s vehement denials and claims of a conspiracy to tarnish his reputation.
On Friday, CJI Khanna directed Delhi High Court Chief Justice Upadhyay to confront Justice Varma with three pointed questions: How does he explain the presence of cash in a room at his official residence? What is the source of the money discovered there? And who removed the burnt cash from the premises on the morning of March 15, 2025?
In his report to the CJI, Chief Justice Upadhyay confirmed that Commissioner Arora had provided video evidence of the alleged fire and the cash found at Justice Varma’s home. When shown the footage and pressed for answers, Justice Varma reportedly expressed concerns of a plot against him. Upadhyay concluded his report by stating, “I am of the prima facie opinion that the entire matter warrants a deeper probe.”
The CJI also instructed Upadhyay to gather additional details, including a list of High Court Registry staff, personal security officers, and guards assigned to Justice Varma’s residence over the past six months. He further requested call records from the judge’s mobile phone(s) for the same period, directing that a formal request be sent to the relevant mobile service provider(s). Additionally, Justice Varma was advised not to dispose of his phone(s) or alter any data, messages, or conversations stored on them.
In response, Chief Justice Upadhyay reported that the call detail records had been obtained and were being submitted to the CJI on a pen drive, with Internet Protocol Detail Records (IPDR) to follow once received from the Delhi Police Commissioner or the mobile service provider.
Justice Varma, steadfastly maintaining his innocence, issued a strong rebuttal: “I state unequivocally that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by me or any of my family members and strongly denounce the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to us. The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous.” He argued that the notion of storing cash in an openly accessible storeroom near staff quarters or an outhouse was implausible.
Addressing the video evidence, Justice Varma expressed shock, stating, “I was totally shocked to see the contents of the video since that depicted something, which was not found on site as I had seen it.” He suggested the footage supported his belief in a orchestrated effort to frame him, pointing to a series of recent events, including baseless allegations that surfaced on social media in December 2024. “What baffles me is the complete absence of any sacks of allegedly burnt currency that were ever recovered or seized,” he added, noting that neither his daughter, personal staff, nor household employees were shown such items.