Justice Yashwant Varma may be asked to resign after cash controversy
New Delhi: Justice Yashwant Varma, a former Delhi High Court judge, may be asked to resign following allegations linked to cash reportedly found at his official residence. A three-judge in-house committee, constituted by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna under the 1999 in-house procedure, is said to have found the allegations against him credible.
The panel, comprising Chief Justices Sheel Nagu (Punjab & Haryana), G.S. Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh), and Judge Anu Sivaram (Karnataka), submitted its report to CJI Khanna, who is retiring on May 13. According to sources, the CJI has held discussions with senior judges of the Supreme Court and may advise Justice Varma to step down.
The controversy emerged after burnt currency was allegedly discovered in a storehouse on the premises of Justice Varma’s official bungalow following a fire incident. The Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya’s report on the matter, which also includes Justice Varma’s response, is expected to be made public.
Shortly after the committee was set up on March 22, Justice Varma was transferred back to his parent High Court in Allahabad and has not been assigned any judicial work since.
Whether he chooses to resign or contest the findings is not yet known. However, sources said his continuation as a judge has become “untenable.” If he refuses to resign, the CJI could recommend further action to the President and Prime Minister, potentially leading to impeachment proceedings.
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Centre must roll back LPG price hike, says Kerala CM
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday demanded that the Centre immediately roll back the recent steep hike in LPG prices, alleging that it has severely impacted common people and small businesses.
In a statement, Vijayan described the increase as "one of the most cruel" in the history of cooking gas price revisions, saying it has pushed ordinary households and entrepreneurs into distress.
He said the price of commercial LPG cylinders had been raised by Rs 993 in one go, crossing Rs 3,000, which would adversely affect the hotel and restaurant sector.
The hike in the price of 5-kg LPG cylinders by Rs 251.50 would hit migrant workers and small families who depend on them, he added.
The chief minister alleged that the hike came immediately after the conclusion of Assembly elections in states, placing an additional burden on common people, small-scale entrepreneurs and migrant labourers.
Pointing to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, Vijayan said the hospitality sector has already been facing a shortage of cooking gas for months and the latest price increase would be difficult to absorb.
The burden would ultimately be passed on to consumers, he said, warning that several small establishments, including those in Kerala, could be forced to shut down.
Accusing oil companies of prioritising profits over public welfare, he said such a trend of imposing additional financial burden on people cannot be accepted.
Vijayan also alleged that the Centre's policies favour corporate interests and called for a correction in approach.
He urged the Union government to withdraw the excessive hike without delay.
The price of commercial LPG was hiked by the steepest ever Rs 993 per 19-kg cylinder on May 1, marking the third straight monthly increase due to rising global energy prices linked to the West Asia conflict.
