Former Delhi High Court Judge Faces Scrutiny Over Unaccounted Money

Yashwant Verma, a retired justice of the Delhi High Court, is once again under the spotlight after a parliamentary committee concluded that he could not satisfactorily account for a large cache of cash found in his government‑provided accommodation.

The cache, comprising hundreds of ₹500 notes, was uncovered in a storeroom after a fire broke out on March 14, 2025. Fire‑fighters reported that many of the bundles were partially burnt, and subsequent search efforts recovered the remaining notes.

When questioned, Verma was unable to identify the source of the money, its intended use, or why it was stored in a government‑owned space. His written explanation submitted on March 22, 2025, was described by the committee as vague and lacking the clarity required of a public servant.

Earlier, an internal probe led by a committee of senior judges had already highlighted Verma’s control over the affected storeroom. Following those findings, the judge was transferred back to the Allahabad High Court and later faced a parliamentary motion for removal. The motion was withdrawn after Verma tendered his resignation.

The latest committee report also criticises the handling of the investigation itself, noting that crucial pieces of evidence were neither properly sealed nor preserved, and that the crime scene was altered before a thorough forensic analysis could be performed.

Legal experts say the case underscores the necessity for stricter oversight of judges’ conduct, especially concerning the use of official residences. They call for clear guidelines that prevent the accumulation of unaccounted assets and ensure that any allegations are investigated with rigorous standards of evidence.