Who Is Justice Yashwant Varma? Legal Luminary Now Under Fire After Unaccounted Cash Found At Home

There is a popular saying that it takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it all. The nation just witnessed a stark example of this, that too within the very fraternity it relies on for power and justice. Justice Yashwant Varma, once regarded as one of the senior-most judges of the Delhi High Court and a towering figure in India’s judicial system, is now making headlines for all the wrong reasons, sending shockwaves through the nation’s judiciary.

Varma, who was regarded for his legal acumen and incisive judgements is now under scrutiny after a massive pile of cash was recovered from his official residence. As the judiciary grapples with this unexpected fallout, let us examine Justice Yashwant Varma's personal life and how he became the centre of this controversy.

The fire that sparked a lot of questions

On March 14, 2025, during Holi, what was supposed to be a fun break at the Delhi High Court turned into a frenzy after a fire broke out at Justice Varma's official bungalow. Firefighters arrived promptly, called in by his family while the judge was reportedly out of town. As they doused the flames, they stumbled upon something far more explosive: large sums of cash stacked in one of the rooms, allegedly totalling Rs. 15 crore.

Soon after this revelation, the police were called to the spot, and the news spread like wildfire within the judicial fraternity. By the morning of March 21, 2025, the matter had escalated to the Supreme Court Collegium, which recommended Justice Varma’s quick transfer back to his parent court, i.e., the Allahabad High Court. 

Yashwant Varma’s journey through the Indian judicial system

Granted that the recent cash controversy has created a massive blotch on Justice Varma’s luminous career in law, but he was involved in some of the most closely watched cases in India in the past few years. Yashwant Varma began his judicial journey by earning his LL.B. from Rewa University in Madhya Pradesh, graduating with a B.Com (Honours) from Delhi University's Hansraj College.

It was in August 1992 that Varma got enrolled as an advocate at the Allahabad High Court. For the next two decades, he mastered his specialisation in constitutional law, corporate law, labour disputes, taxation, and industrial legislation. From 2006 to 2014, Varma served in Allahabad High Court as a Special Counsel, later becoming a Chief Standing Counsel for Uttar Pradesh between 2012 and 2013. In October 2014, he was appointed an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court. Two years later, Varma was sworn in as a permanent judge. In October 2021, he was elevated to the Delhi High Court, where he rose to become its third senior-most judge.

Justice Varma’s judicial record includes some of the most closely-watched cases in recent years. For instance, he was the one to deliver a significant ruling classifying PayPal as a ‘payment system operator’ under, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

What lies ahead for justice Varma?

As the investigation unfolds, Justice Yashwant Varma stands at a crossroads. Once celebrated for his legal acumen and integrity on the bench, his reputation now hangs in the balance amid serious allegations. According to recent reports, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has requested a detailed report from Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya before deciding the next steps. Meanwhile, little is known about Varma's wife and family, who have remained out of the public eye.

For now, the legal community watches in stunned silence. How this story ends will not only decide Justice Varma’s fate but also raise questions about judicial accountability in India.

Also Read: Who Is Amaal Malik? Music Composer, Began Working At 15, Clinical Depression, Broke Ties With Family

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