'Misinformation, Rumours': Supreme Court says Justice Yashwant Varma's transfer not linked to cash discovery, probe underway

Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma.

The Supreme Court on Friday said that there is misinformation and rumours being spread over the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from the residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma.

The top court issued a press release stating that Justice Varma's transfer to the Allahabad High court was 'independent and separate from the in-house enquiry procedure'.

"The proposal for transfer of Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma, who is the second senior most Judge in the Delhi High Court and a member of the Collegium, to his parent High Court i.e. the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, where he will be ninth in seniority, is independent and separate from the In-house enquiry procedure," the press note said.

The court further stated that the Collegium is yet to make any official recommendation to transfer him. In fact, the proposal is still under consideration and the judges' body has written letters to the consultee Judges of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justices of the High Courts concerned and Justice Yashwant Varma himself for inputs, it said.

"Responses received will be examined and, thereupon, the Collegium will pass a resolution," it said.

Earlier today, media reports said a huge pile of unaccounted cash was recovered from the residence of Justice Varma after a fire had broke out. It was then said that this incident prompted the Collegium to recommended his transfer to Allahabad.

However, in the press note, SC states that the transfer and in-house probe, are independent of each other.
The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court will submit his report to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna later today and the report will be examined and processed for further and necessary action, the top court said.