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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
