NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday hailed the decision of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to maintain judicial transparency amid the ongoing controversy over a huge amount of cash being recovered from Delhi high court Judge Yashwant Varma’s official residence followng a fire in a storeroom.
Dhankhar thanked the leader of the house in Rajya Sabha, JP Nadda, and leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for having a “meaningful deliberation” with him over the issue.
Dhankhar also claimed that it was for the first time since Independence that a Chief Justice has put all material available to him in the public domain and shared it without withholding anything.
“I am grateful to the Leader of the House, Nadda Ji, and Leader of the Opposition, Kharge Ji. We had a meaningful deliberation about the issue that is agitating the mind of the judiciary. It is for the first time since independence that a Chief Justice has, in a transparent, accountable manner, put all material available to him in the public domain and shared it without keeping anything with the court,” Dhankhar said.
“This is a step in the right direction. The constitution of a committee by the Chief Justice of India and the alertness he has reflected is also a factor that needs consideration. Institutions like the judiciary and legislature serve their purpose best when their in-house mechanisms are effective, fast, and uphold public trust,” he added.
Dhankhar also mentioned that a meeting with the floor leaders would be scheduled soon to take a call on the issue.
“Since it is for the first time that the head of the judiciary, the Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, has initiated action in a very, very impactful, transparent manner, it will be worthwhile to await the outcome of the committee, as that will enable us to have the entire material for our consideration. A very thoughtful suggestion emanated from Kharge Ji that, consistent with parliamentary practice, the issue needs to be deliberated with the floor leaders. Finding the suggestion in order and full approval also of all three of us, a meeting will accordingly be scheduled where I would extend an invitation to the floor leaders in the Council of States to take a call on this,” Dhankhar said.
Meanwhile, Delhi high court announced the immediate withdrawal of Justice Yashwant Varma from judicial duties days after substantial cash was found at his official residence during a fire-fighting operation.
“In view of recent events, the judicial work from Hon’ble Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma is withdrawn with immediate effect, till further orders,” the circular reads.
This action came after the CJI had directed the Delhi high court Chief Justice to temporarily suspend Justice Varma’s judicial assignments.
On March 14, during Holi festivities, a fire reportedly occurred in the early hours at Justice Varma’s official Tughlaq Road residence in Lutyens’ Delhi.
Emergency responders, including police and fire services, arrived to control the blaze and reportedly discovered significant cash holdings in one of the property’s outhouses. Senior officials were notified, who subsequently informed the Chief Justice of India on March 15.
The CJI then directed the Delhi high court Chief Justice to provide a report on the incident, including Justice Varma’s explanation regarding the alleged cash discovery.
