Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose residence unaccounted cash was recovered, was named in a 2018 CBI FIR

Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting senior judge of the Delhi High Court, who was recently transferred back to the Allahabad High Court, was named in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR in 2018. Justice Varma was named as an accused in the Simbhaoli Sugar Mills bank fraud case.



Justice Varma, a non-executive director of Simbhaoli Sugars, was named as an accused in the FIR related to a ₹97.85 crore loan from the Oriental Bank of Commerce intended for farmers. Hapur-based Simbhaoli Sugars was accused of embezzling ₹1,300 crore in connivance with officials of seven banks.

In 2023, two years after Justice Varma was transferred to the Delhi HC, the Allahabad HC ordered a CBI probe into the loan fraud case. However, this was set aside by the Supreme Court last year.



Meanwhile, the controversy over the alleged recovery of a huge pile of cash from Justice Varma's official residence has put the focus back on corruption in the judiciary and the lack of transparency.

There is discontent among the members of the SC Collegium and in legal circles at large over Justice Varma's transfer to the Allahabad HC following the incident.

Senior lawyers, including Indira Jaising and Harish Salve, have called for more transparency in the entire episode.


Earlier, on Friday, the Supreme Court issued a statement saying that on receiving the information, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court commenced the in-house enquiry procedure, collecting evidence and information regarding allegations against Justice Varma.


The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court had commenced his enquiry into the allegations against Justice Varma prior to the Supreme Court Collegium meeting on 20 March, said the press release.

"There is misinformation and rumours being spread with regard to the incident at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma," it further added.

The Supreme Court also denied that Justice Varma's transfer was recommended by its Collegium.


Friday also saw yet another twist in the cash recovery controversy, as Delhi Fire Services (DFS) Chief Atul Garg clarified media reports attributing a statement to him, claiming that no cash was found during firefighting operations at the judge's residence.

Garg told IANS that he never told any media outlet that firefighters had reported no cash found at the scene.

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