Crores of cash recovered from Justice Yashwant Verma's house, no FIR - is it excusable? Public anger

New Delhi, 17 April 2025: The case of the recovery of a huge amount of cash from the Delhi residence of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Verma has become a matter of heated debate in the country. The incident has not only raised questions on the impartiality of the judiciary, but it is also being asked why no FIR has been filed so far. Public and social media are angry, and people are not ready to accept it as "excusable offence". Let us understand the facts of the case, the status of the investigation, and the depth of the controversy.

What is the whole matter?

In March 2025, crores of rupees in cash and partially burnt currency notes were allegedly recovered during a raid at Justice Yashwant Verma's Delhi residence. The raid was conducted under the supervision of an in-house committee of the Supreme Court, which probes corruption allegations against judges. According to sources, a portion of the cash was burnt, which is being seen as an attempt to destroy evidence.

Justice Verma, who has heard high-profile cases such as the Unnao rape case, has denied any connection to these notes. He termed it a "conspiracy" and claimed that it was an attempt to defame him. However, no FIR has been registered in the case yet, and Justice Verma has been transferred from Delhi to the Allahabad High Court.

Why was there no FIR?

The process of investigation in judiciary cases is different from that of ordinary citizens. Corruption allegations against judges are investigated by an in-house committee of the Supreme Court, and its approval is required before any criminal action can be initiated. A senior Supreme Court official said that the investigation in this case is still in the initial stage, and forensic analysis is being done to find out the source of cash.

However, this delay has increased anger among the public. People on social media are raising questions that if this cash was found from the house of a common man, an FIR would have been registered by now and arrests would also have been made. A user wrote on X, "Separate law for Judge sahab, different for common man? What kind of justice is this?"

 

Public anger and demand for accountability

Hashtags like #JusticeVarmaCash and #NoFIRForJudges are trending on social media, where people are demanding transparency and quick action in this matter. Congress leader Pawan Khera posted on X on March 21, 2025, "The matter of such a huge amount of cash from Judge sahab's house is serious. It cannot be hushed up by mere transfer." At the same time, some users called this case a symbol of corruption in the judiciary. One post read, "When the judges themselves behave like thieves, where will the trust of the common man come from?" Experts say that such incidents can weaken the public's trust in the judiciary.

Status of investigation and controversy

The Supreme Court committee has not yet made any final conclusion in this case. As of 14 April 2025, Justice Verma has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyer has termed it a "political conspiracy". However, some media reports have claimed that the amount of cash could be between Rs 2-3 crore, but there has been no official confirmation.

Meanwhile, the question remains whether this matter will be limited to only transfer, or there will be any criminal action. Former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. "Accountability is necessary in the judiciary. If serious evidence is found, legal action should be taken," Lokur said in an interview.

Is it excusable?

Legal experts believe that if the origin of the cash is proven to be illegal, it will not be excusable. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, such assets can be confiscated, and criminal prosecution can be initiated even if the judge is a judge. However, the process of taking action against judges is complex, and it is difficult to file an FIR without the approval of the Supreme Court.

Conclusion

The case of cash seizure from Justice Yashwant Verma's house not only raises questions about the credibility of the judiciary, but also shows how lack of accountability and transparency can incite public anger. Without an FIR and concrete action, this case cannot be considered "excusable". All eyes are now on the Supreme Court's investigation, which will decide whether this case will serve as a lesson for the judiciary, or will be suppressed. Meanwhile, the public's question remains - if crores were found from the judge's house, then why was there no FIR?