Justice Yashwant Verma in Trouble! SC Panel Report Raises Questions- Here’s the Full Timeline of the Burnt Cash Scandal

National News: The Supreme Court's inquiry panel has dealt a serious blow to Justice Yashwant Verma, rejecting both his key defenses in the burnt cash scandal that has rocked the legal community. Verma had claimed that someone planted the cash inside his storeroom and later set it on fire to frame him. However, the panel dismissed these explanations as unconvincing and unsupported by evidence.

The panel, constituted on March 22 by then Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, included Punjab & Haryana Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh Chief Justice G. S. Sandhawalia, and Karnataka HC’s Justice Anu Sivaraman. After weeks of examination, the committee has concluded that Justice Verma’s version of events doesn’t hold up.

Panel Rejects Verma’s Version

The three-judge committee conducted extensive interviews, interrogating 55 witnesses, including household staff, neighbors, and court officials. The entire questioning process was video-recorded for transparency. According to the panel’s report, there were significant inconsistencies in Verma’s statements, especially regarding his knowledge of the cash stored at his residence.

Furthermore, forensic reports raised suspicions about the controlled nature of the fire—leading the panel to believe it was not an act of external sabotage but a deliberate cover-up attempt. This has intensified calls within the legal fraternity for appropriate action against the High Court judge.

Signs Point Toward Disciplinary Action

Sources within the judiciary suggest that the panel’s conclusions may soon be followed by formal proceedings. Though the Supreme Court hasn’t yet recommended impeachment, the report states there are “reasonable grounds” for contemplating Verma’s removal. This could trigger a complex political-legal process involving the Parliament.

The timing of this report is crucial, as the judiciary has been under pressure to maintain integrity amid growing public skepticism. The SC’s active pursuit of internal accountability sends a clear message—even judges are not above scrutiny.

Timeline of the Controversy

The case began when a fire broke out in Justice Verma’s home storage room earlier this year. When fire officials and investigators arrived, they discovered partially burnt bundles of cash, estimated to be in crores. The incident raised alarm bells, and immediate internal investigations were ordered.

Justice Verma’s defense—that the cash was planted and the fire was an external attempt to frame him—seemed plausible at first. But as probe details emerged, the theory crumbled under technical and circumstantial evidence.

Judiciary at a Crossroads

The burnt cash scandal has now evolved beyond an isolated incident. Legal analysts believe it marks a crucial test for India’s judiciary—can it clean its own house? With the SC panel doing the groundwork, all eyes are now on what the higher judiciary and Parliament choose to do next.