The HC circular further said that the court master of division bench-III, which was headed by Justice Yashwant Varma, will give dates in matters.
The decision comes after reports surfaced regarding the discovery of a large sum of cash at his home linked to the judge, which has triggered an investigation.
A three-judge committee, formed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, will conduct a “fact-finding inquiry” into the allegations against the Delhi High Court judge, said an ET report. The committee is set to undertake a “deeper probe” into the discovery of the “pile of cash” at the judge’s residence.
According to established procedure, the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in 2015 outlined that “the inquiry shall be in the nature of a fact-finding inquiry, wherein the judge concerned would be entitled to appear and present his case.”
However, the judgment, written by a bench led by former CJI JS Khehar, clarified that “it will not be a formal judicial inquiry involving the examination and cross-examination of witnesses or representation by lawyers.” The ruling further stated that “the committee shall establish its own procedure, ensuring consistency with the principles of natural justice.”The cash was discovered when Varma’s residence reportedly caught fire. Emergency services, during the dousing of the flames, recovered the cash and informed the authorities concerned which sparked a widespread scandal. In the days following the discovery, half-burnt Rs 500 notes were also allegedly discovered at the Judge’s home.
