Officials Admit Cash Was Found at Justice Verma’s Residence, Tell Inquiry Panel Why It Wasn’t Seized and Why Video Was Deleted

New Delhi: It has been confirmed that a large amount of cash was found at the residence of former Delhi High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Verma. Senior officials have admitted this before a three-member inquiry committee set up by the Supreme Court to investigate the matter. A significant portion of the cash was reportedly burnt in a fire that broke out at Justice Verma’s residence.

During questioning, officials stated that due to the absence of an FIR (First Information Report), a large amount of cash could not be seized. The inquiry panel was also informed that the video showing the discovery of the cash was deleted on the instructions of senior officers, citing the risk of it falling into the wrong hands. Following the incident, Justice Yashwant Verma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court.

Inquiry Committee Posed Two Key Questions to Officials

The discovery of a stash of cash at the former Delhi High Court judge’s residence had caused a stir in both judicial and political circles. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had also raised concerns recently over why an FIR had not been filed in this case. The fire-fighting team that responded to the incident found a large amount of cash in one of the rooms at Justice Verma’s Delhi residence. A considerable portion of it was burnt in the fire.

To investigate the matter, the Supreme Court formed a committee consisting of three senior judges. The committee has questioned Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, DCP of New Delhi Devesh Mahla, and several other officers.

1. Why was the cash present at the scene not seized?

2. Why was the video footage from personnel’s mobile phones showing the fire incident deleted?

Reason Given for Not Seizing the Cash

According to a report published in an English newspaper, the officials stated that since no FIR had been filed in the matter, the cash present at the scene could not be legally seized. The police officers claimed they followed due process and informed their senior officers. The matter was then conveyed to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice D.K. Upadhyay.

Regarding the deletion of the video, the officials responded that the decision was made based on instructions from senior authorities, citing concerns that the video might fall into the wrong hands. Hence, it was decided to delete the footage.

Why FIR Was Not Filed

Before the inquiry committee, the officials argued that under Indian law, an FIR against a sitting High Court or Supreme Court judge can only be registered with the consent of the Chief Justice of India. Therefore, the police informed higher authorities, who in turn briefed the Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, D.K. Upadhyay, about the matter.

According to a report published in The Indian Express, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg, and other fire department personnel confirmed that on the night of the incident, there was indeed a large amount of cash stored in a room at Justice Verma’s residence, which was burnt in the fire.

Investigation Underway by a Panel of Three Senior Judges

The fire broke out on March 14 at Justice Verma’s residence in Delhi. The incident revealed that a significant amount of cash had been destroyed. In response, the Supreme Court formed a three-member inquiry committee comprising the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Sheel Nagu; Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice G.S. Sandhawalia; and Karnataka High Court judge, Justice Anu Sivaraman.

Justice Verma Denied Presence of Cash at His Residence

In his response to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice Verma categorically denied that any cash was found at his residence. He claimed that during the firefighting operation, all family members and staff were kept away for safety reasons, and when he returned to the premises, no cash was found there.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has handed over Justice Verma’s call detail records and the list of security personnel posted at his residence over the past six months to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.