Justice Yashwant Verma resigns amid cash recovery row
Justice Verma resigns amid cash row
New Delhi | Desk: Justice Yashwant Verma, embroiled in allegations regarding the discovery of a large amount of cash following a fire at his official residence in Delhi, has finally resigned from his post. His letter of resignation has been forwarded to the President. Amidst the possibility of impeachment proceedings and an ongoing investigation, this move is being viewed as a major development within the judiciary.
This controversy first erupted in March 2025, when a sudden fire broke out at Justice Verma's residence in Delhi. While extinguishing the blaze, firefighters discovered large piles of cash inside the house stacks reportedly reaching a height of up to one and a half feet.
Following this incident, the then Chief Justice took *suo motu* cognizance of the matter and ordered an inquiry; subsequently, Justice Verma was transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court.
However, from the very outset, Justice Verma has maintained that these allegations are baseless and fabricated. Presenting his defense before a parliamentary panel, he argued that he was not present at home when the fire broke out, and that the responsibility for securing the scene lay with the police and the administration.
He questioned why, if the authorities failed to ensure security, the blame for this failure was being laid upon him. As the controversy intensified, in August 2025, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted a three-member inquiry committee under the 'Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.'
Justice Verma challenged the validity of this committee in the Supreme Court; however, the Court dismissed his petition and permitted the inquiry to proceed.
In its preliminary report, the Supreme Court's internal inquiry committee clarified that the room from which the cash was allegedly recovered was under the direct control of Justice Verma and his family.
Now, amidst the mounting pressure of the investigation and the looming possibility of impeachment, his resignation has sparked a renewed debate regarding judicial integrity and accountability. This case has emerged as a significant precedent in the history of the Indian judiciary, highlighting serious allegations of corruption and the imperative for accountability among individuals holding high public office.
