Oppn MPs raise justice Varma issue in House, demand probe
Opposition lawmakers raised concerns in Lok Sabha over cash found at Delhi judge Varma's residence, demanding transparency and an inquiry into the allegations.
Several opposition lawmakers on Thursday raised the alleged discovery of wads of cash from the residence of Delhi high court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, in the Lok Sabha, with Congress MP Manish Tewari demanding a statement from Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on the issue.
Tewari, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, brought up the issue during Zero Hour, saying the reports about alleged aberrations in the judiciary have disturbed the conscience of all right-thinking citizens in the country.
“While the Chief Justice of India (Justice Sanjiv Khanna) has appointed an in-house inquiry, I think we should respect the process and wait for that report. However, in the meantime, the law minister should come to this House and must relay the chronology of events as they have transpired,” he said.
The Chandigarh MP added: “Nobody is saying that anyone is innocent or guilty. Nobody is trying to apportion guilt. Let the in-house inquiry process play itself out. But under articles of the Constitution and the Judge’s (Inquiry) Act, this Parliament has the responsibility of exercising that superintendence.”
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee, who is also a senior advocate, said unaccountable money has been recovered from a Delhi high court judge.
“Judges are also public servants like us. Why any investigation will not commence if a complaint of corruption is made against a judge irrespective of the fact that the chief justice of India grants permission or not,” he asked. “Why the Lokpal will not be allowed to carry on an investigation when a complaint has come against a judge who is a public servant like us?”
Banerjee also took issue with the Supreme Court’s recommendation to repatriate Justice Varma to his parent Allahabad high court. “Allahabad high court and Calcutta high court cannot be dumping grounds. All corrupt judges being sent to Allahabad and Calcutta high courts,” he added.
A controversy erupted after alleged discovery of stash of cash following a fire at justice Varma’s Tughlak Road residence in Delhi on the night of March 14. A week later, CJI Khanna constituted the three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry into the allegations, which Varma has rejected.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Patel also expressed concern over the issue, emphasising public faith in the judiciary must remain intact.
“The judiciary is a crucial pillar of the Constitution and people have unwavering faith in it. When such faith is damaged, people express their disappointment,” the Phulpur MP said, stressing the need for transparency in handling allegations against judges.
