New Delhi, March 21 - Amid reports of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Verma being transferred to the Allahabad High Court after he allegedly received cash while extinguishing a fire at his house, the top court has clarified that misinformation and rumours are being spread about the transfer.
The Supreme Court said that the proposal for the judge's transfer is under consideration. The top court clarified in a statement that the proposal for Justice Verma's transfer to the Allahabad High Court is separate from the internal investigation process initiated by the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
The statement said, "The proposal for the transfer of Justice Yashwant Verma to his original Allahabad High Court, who is second in seniority in the Delhi High Court and is also a member of the Collegium, is separate from the impartial and internal investigation process. The proposal was examined by the collegium headed by the Chief Justice of India on March 20 and after this letters were written to the concerned judges of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justices of the concerned High Courts and Justice Yashwant Verma. After receiving the replies, they will be examined and then the collegium will pass the resolution.
The Supreme Court statement also clarified that after receiving the information, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court has started collecting evidence and information under the investigation. According to the top court, the Chief Justice of the High Court DK Upadhyay had started the investigation on March 20 even before the collegium meeting. He said that further necessary action will be initiated after receiving the investigation report.
A new twist in the matter came when Delhi Fire Services Chief Atul Garg said that the fire brigade had not found any cash at Justice Verma's residence. He said that on March 14, at 11.35 pm, information was received about the fire at Verma's residence and two fire tenders were dispatched. Garg said that the fire broke out in the store room where stationery and household items were kept and the fire was brought under control within 15 minutes.