Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday expressed serious concern over the lack of a First Information Report (FIR) in the case involving the discovery of burnt cash from the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma. Dhankhar emphasized that judicial independence should not be used as a shield to avoid legal scrutiny and highlighted the glaring disparity in how the law is applied.
“If the event had taken place at his (common man’s) house, the speed would have been an electronic rocket. Now it is not even a cattle cart,” Dhankhar said, according to PTI. He raised questions over the slow pace of investigation and stressed that the judiciary should not be immune to accountability.
‘Judicial independence not immunity from probe’
The Vice President underlined that the independence of the judiciary is critical but cannot become a means to obstruct investigations. He noted that using such protection would be “the surest way to degenerate an institution.”
Dhankhar questioned the relevance of the three-member in-house committee formed by the Supreme Court to probe the matter. “And what can the committee do? The committee can at most make a recommendation. Recommendation to whom? And for what?” he asked. He further clarified that any concrete action against a sitting judge can only be initiated by Parliament through the process of removal.
‘No FIR, no legal action’
Highlighting the legal requirement of filing an FIR in cognizable offences, Dhankhar criticized the absence of any police report in the case. “It is law of the land that every cognisable offence is required to be reported to the police, and failure to do so, and failure to report a cognisable offence is a crime. Therefore, you all will be wondering why there has been no FIR,” he said.
He further pointed out that an FIR could be registered against any person, regardless of their position, including a constitutional functionary like the Vice President himself.
Background of the case
In March, burnt wads of cash were reportedly discovered at the Delhi home of Justice Yashwant Varma. Fire department officials allegedly found the money after being called to extinguish a fire on Holi night.
Following the incident, the Supreme Court set up a three-member in-house panel to probe the situation. The court also ordered Justice Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad High Court. Though his transfer initially drew opposition from the Bar Association there, Justice Varma has since taken oath at his new post.
Dhankhar calls for executive action
In his remarks, Dhankhar made it clear that such investigations fall under the executive’s domain and should not be left solely to judicial mechanisms. He urged accountability and legal transparency, warning against selective enforcement of the law.
