Lok Sabha probe panel finds Justice Yashwant Varma guilty in cash-at-home case

Justice Yashwant Varma, against whom removal proceedings were initiated following the alleged discovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence last year, has been found guilty by a Lok Sabha inquiry committee.Lok Sabha inquiry committee finds Justice Yashwant Varma guilty. (PTI)The panel’s report, which was tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, noted that an explanation provided by the judge on the discovery of massive amounts of burnt currency “did not exhibit the candour, transparency and institutional responsibility expected in the circumstances”. It also suggested “further action as may be considered in accordance with law”. “Substantial unexplained ₹500 domination currency notes were found in the storeroom situated within the official residential premises at 30, Tughlaq Crescent, New Delhi. The Judge failed to furnish a satisfactory explanation regarding the presence, source or ownership thereof,” the report said.Noting that the “evidentiary condition of the storeroom was disturbed before lawful sealing and inspection”, the report said: “...the later non-availability of the currency notes remains unexplained.”The incident came to light after a fire broke out in the official residence of Justice Varma on the night of March 14 last year. Firefighters called to put out the blaze allegedly discovered massive amounts of burnt currency in a storeroom.Justice Varma has since resigned, and removal proceedings against him have virtually become infructuous. His resignation, however, has not yet been notified by the law ministry. He was a judge of the Delhi High Court and repatriated to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court, following the controversy.The three-member probe panel had submitted its findings to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in May.