'Wild witch hunt': Delhi HC refuses plea seeking FIR, probe against Justice Yashwant Varma

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking registration of an FIR and a probe by an SIT or the CBI into the purported discovery of a large stash of cash following a fire at the residence of former Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma.

Justice Amit Bansal termed the petition a "wild witch hunt" and said the petitioner, lawyer Ghanshyam Upadhyay, had alternative remedies available under law.

"I'm not entertaining this. This is a wild witch hunt. You have nothing better to do?" the judge remarked during the hearing.

The court also questioned Upadhyay's locus and asked why he had not approached the trial court with his request for registration of an FIR.

The petitioner argued that the incident was "extraordinary" and claimed that a lower court could not do justice to the matter.

"This is regarding Justice Yashwant Varma. Criminal law can be set into motion by anyone. There is no embargo," he submitted.

After the court indicated that it would dismiss the plea, Upadhyay withdrew it, saying he would pursue remedies available under law.

The lawyer had earlier approached the Supreme Court with the plea, which was dismissed in August.

The controversy relates to the purported discovery of a large amount of cash after a fire broke out at Varma's official residence in Lutyens' Delhi around 11:35 pm on March 14, 2025, the night of Holi. Fire department personnel reached the premises and doused the flames.

The alleged cash discovery triggered a major controversy, following which Varma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court, his parent high court.

Varma, who was facing removal proceedings, resigned from judicial office on April 9 this year. He submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu.

The Lok Sabha had initiated the rare removal proceedings against the judge, but the process was rendered "infructuous" following his resignation. Varma was otherwise due to retire on January 5, 2031.