Priyanka Tiwari
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Four days after reports of alleged cash found at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma sparked political debate, Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar convened a meeting on Monday. The closed-door session included Leader of the House Jagat Prakash Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.
Scheduled for 11:30 AM, the meeting focused on rising concerns regarding judicial transparency and accountability, especially in light of corruption allegations involving the higher judiciary.
Justice Varma Transferred Following Controversy; SC Clarifies Transfer Grounds
Justice Yashwant Varma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court shortly after the cash discovery, a move that raised questions about the judicial transfer process. The Supreme Court later clarified that the transfer was not recommended by the Collegium, distancing itself from the timing of the decision.
Political Voices Push for Greater Judicial Transparency
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged Chairman Dhankhar to ask the government to present a plan enhancing judicial accountability. In response, Dhankhar alluded to the previously proposed National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which aimed to reform how judges are appointed.
He remarked that had the mechanism been in place, current issues might have been avoided. Recalling that the NJAC Bill had near-unanimous support in Parliament, he questioned the lack of progress since its passage.
Supreme Court Had Rejected NJAC in 2015
The NJAC, once approved by Parliament and several state assemblies, was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015. The Court upheld the Collegium system, ruling the NJAC unconstitutional.
Questions Raised Over Handling of Allegations Against Judiciary
Vice President Dhankhar also noted the delay in public disclosure of the incident. He compared the treatment of politicians or bureaucrats in similar situations, emphasizing the need for a consistent, accountable response across institutions.
Legal Experts Demand Stronger Response to Judiciary Misconduct
Former Solicitor General Harish Salve criticized the handling of the matter. He questioned why standard procedures, such as suspension and inquiry, were not applied. Salve argued that higher ethical expectations should apply to the judiciary and that such cases are not suitable for internal review.
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