'Process' started for internal investigation in Justice Yashwant Verma controversy case

The Supreme Court has initiated the 'process' for an internal inquiry against Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Verma. Sources said that taking a step in this direction, a report has been sought from Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyay regarding the incident. According to sources, earlier after this development, the collegium headed by Chief Justice of the apex court Sanjeev Khanna on Thursday unanimously recommended the transfer of Justice Yashwant Verma to Allahabad High Court. However, official sources said that the proposal for Justice Verma's transfer is independent and separate from the internal investigation process.

However, official sources said in a written statement, "Misinformation and rumors are being spread regarding the incident at Justice Verma's house." He said that the Chief Justice of the High Court has initiated an internal investigation process to collect evidence and information. He is expected to submit his report on Friday. He said, "The report will be examined and the process will be followed for further and necessary action."

Regarding the transfer of Justice Verma, the second most senior judge of the Delhi High Court, to his parent high court 'Allahabad High Court', the Collegium said that the alleged incident took place in Delhi. It said, "The proposal (regarding the transfer) was examined by the Collegium comprising the Chief Justice of India and four senior-most judges of the apex court on March 20, 2025 and thereafter letters were written to the consulting judges of the apex court, Chief Justices of the respective high courts and Justice Yashwant Verma. The responses received will be examined and thereafter the Collegium will pass a resolution."

The process of inquiry and transfer in the matter has been initiated after the Collegium members were apprised of the alleged video of burning cash at Justice Verma's residence. Sources, however, said there is no estimate of the amount of cash at the judge's house. The Collegium members suggested to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to try to obtain the fact-finding report at the earliest, as it will help in deciding the future course of action, sources said. There is no information yet (till the time of writing the news) about any reaction from Justice Verma on the report of recovery of cash.

Meanwhile, this issue also came up before a bench headed by Chief Justice DK Upadhyay of Delhi High Court. A lawyer raised this issue before the bench and said that we are saddened by this 'incident'. Steps should be taken at the administrative level to prevent 'such incidents' in the future. To this, the Chief Justice responded that the judges are aware of this. Justice Yashwant Verma remained on leave today on March 21 amid reports of his possible transfer. His absence was officially announced by his staff in the High Court this morning.

Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association said it was shocked by the collegium's decision to send Justice Verma back to his parent high court. Justice Verma, originally from the High Court of Allahabad, was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court in October 2021. Justice Verma was appointed as an additional judge of the High Court on October 13, 2014. He took oath as a permanent judge on February 1, 2014. He was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court on October 11, 2021.

The fire incident at Justice Verma's official residence in New Delhi took place on March 14 at around 11.30 pm. He was not at home at that time. While extinguishing the fire, firefighters and police reportedly found a huge amount of cash in a room. According to Justice Verma's personal details available on the Delhi High Court website, he was born on January 6, 1969, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj). His father was a judge of the Allahabad High Court. He obtained a B.Com (Hons) degree from Hansraj College, University of Delhi, and an LLB degree from Rewa University, Madhya Pradesh. He was then enrolled as an advocate on August 8, 1992. As an advocate in the Allahabad High Court, he practised in areas related to constitutional, labour, and industrial legislations, corporate laws, taxation, and handling cases relating to allied branches of law. He was a Special Advocate of the Allahabad High Court from 2006 until his promotion. He also held the post of Chief Standing Counsel. He was designated as Senior Advocate in 2013.

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