Transfer or Cover-Up? The Justice Yashwant Verma Affair

 

Introduction: A Shocking Fall from Grace

Justice Yashwant Verma, once a respected name in the Delhi High Court, now stands as a symbol of everything that can go wrong when power corrupts. On March 14, 2025, a fire at his official residence in Delhi revealed a staggering pile of unaccounted cash, discovered by firefighters who were simply doing their job. What followed was not justice, but a baffling decision by the Supreme Court Collegium to transfer him to the Allahabad High Court. This is not a routine administrative move—it’s a scandal that shakes the very foundation of public trust in India’s judiciary. And I, for one, am not here to sugarcoat it.

The Incident: Cash in the Ashes

Imagine this: a blaze breaks out at a judge’s bungalow, and amidst the smoke and chaos, firefighters stumble upon heaps of cash—unexplained, unaccounted for, and undeniably suspicious. This wasn’t a petty sum; it was enough to raise eyebrows and alarm bells. The news hit like a thunderbolt, reaching Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who called an urgent meeting of the Collegium. Their response? Not an investigation, not a suspension, but a quiet transfer to another court. It’s as if moving the problem elsewhere makes it disappear. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

My View: Transfer Is Not Justice—It’s a Cop-Out

Let me be crystal clear: this is not the way to handle a judge caught in such a disgraceful situation. Judges aren’t just public servants; they’re nay murtis—god-like figures in the eyes of the common person. We bow to them, trust them, and believe they uphold the law when the rest of us falter. But when a judge like Yashwant Verma is linked to illegal money, that trust shatters. And instead of addressing this betrayal head-on, the Collegium chooses to shuffle him from Delhi to Allahabad like it’s a game of musical chairs. This isn’t justice—it’s a slap in the face to every citizen who believes in the rule of law.

Why no investigation? Why no suspension? If I, a common person, were found with stacks of illicit cash, I’d be hauled before a court faster than you can say “bail denied.” But a judge gets a free pass to another bench? This double standard is outrageous. Justice Verma should be treated like any other citizen—investigated thoroughly, and if guilty, punished like the rest of us. No special treatment, no cushy transfers. Suspension should be the bare minimum while the truth is uncovered. Anything less reeks of privilege and protectionism.

The Allahabad High Court: A Dumping Ground for Shame?

And what about the Allahabad High Court? Is it now the judiciary’s equivalent of a punishment posting—a place to exile tainted judges so Delhi can wash its hands clean? This transfer insults the dignity of the Allahabad High Court and its honorable judges, who shouldn’t have to bear the stench of someone else’s scandal. Why should they feel shame because of Justice Verma’s actions? The implication that Allahabad is a lesser court, a convenient rug to sweep this mess under, is an affront to its legacy and its people.

The Bigger Picture: A Judiciary at Risk

This isn’t just about one man—it’s about the soul of our judicial system. If judges can stash away corrupt earnings and escape with a mere reassignment, what hope is there for the rest of us? Who will follow the law when those enforcing it break it with impunity? The public’s faith in judges is sacred; it’s what keeps our democracy standing. But when that faith crumbles—when gods turn out to be frauds—chaos follows. Other judges, honest and hardworking, shouldn’t have their reputations tarnished by association with someone like Verma. He’s the outlier, not them, and he should face the consequences alone.

A Demand for Real Action

Here’s what should happen: suspend Justice Verma immediately. Launch a transparent, no-holds-barred investigation into where that money came from and why it was there. If he’s guilty, punish him—jail him, fine him, strip him of his title. Let him face the same law he once swore to uphold. Transferring him doesn’t solve the problem; it buries it. And burying corruption only lets it fester, poisoning the judiciary further.

The Supreme Court Collegium must stop hiding behind vague “in-house inquiries” and vague platitudes. The public deserves answers, not evasions. Transparency isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. Anything less betrays the millions who look to our courts for justice.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for India

The Yashwant Verma scandal isn’t just news—it’s a crisis. It’s a test of whether our judiciary will protect its own or protect the law. Transferring him to Allahabad High Court isn’t accountability; it’s cowardice. I urge every reader to demand more—to demand an investigation, to demand equality, to demand justice. We can’t let corrupt judges tarnish the bench while honest ones suffer the fallout. Stay vigilant, speak out, and hold those in power accountable. Because if we don’t, who will?