New Delhi: An inquiry committee has found Justice Yashwant Varma Yashwant Varma guilty over the discovery of large bundles of unaccounted, half-burnt cash at his official residence in New Delhi.

The report, prepared by a three-member panel led by Supreme Court Judge Justice Arvind Kumar, was tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday. The committee rejected Justice Varma’s allegations that a conspiracy had been hatched against him.

The controversy began on the night of March 14-15, 2025, after a fire broke out in the storeroom of Justice Varma’s official residence at 30, Tughlaq Crescent, New Delhi.

Rescue workers who reached the site found a substantial quantity of charred ₹500 currency notes in the storeroom.

The committee found that the storeroom was under Justice Varma’s effective official control at the time. It also said he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation about the cash, including its source and ownership.

According to the report, the inability to account for the money was contrary to the ethical standards expected of a High Court judge.

Cash was not secured after discovery

The committee also examined what happened to the cash after the fire. It found that Justice Varma failed to ensure that the money was secured or preserved, despite its importance as evidence.

Before the storeroom could be sealed for inspection, the judge’s staff cleaned the area and the cash disappeared.

The panel assessed that this happened either on Justice Varma’s instructions or with his knowledge.

The committee further said his responses during the inquiry were evasive, incomplete and misleading.

Panel rejects conspiracy claim

The inquiry report noted a change in Justice Varma’s position during the proceedings.

The committee said he initially denied that cash was present at the site. However, after video evidence emerged, his position shifted towards raising technical arguments.

The panel assessed this change as inconsistent with the transparency expected from a person holding a constitutional position.

Justice Varma later withdrew from the inquiry proceedings and did not present evidence in his defence.

Three-member panel finds allegations proven

The inquiry was conducted by a three-member high-level committee comprising Supreme Court Judge Justice Arvind Kumar, Bombay High Court Chief Justice Chandrashekhar and senior advocate B.V. Acharya.

The committee found all three allegations against Justice Varma to be fully proven.

The report will now form the factual basis for impeachment proceedings in Parliament aimed at removing Justice Yashwant Varma from office.