Latest news with #Varma
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Justice Varma indicted: 10 eyewitnesses confirmed cash deals among 55 questioned
New Delhi: A damning inquiry report by a Supreme Court-appointed three-judge panel has reportedly indicted Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, confirming serious allegations of misconduct. The panel's findings, submitted to then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and forwarded to the President and Prime Minister earlier this month, recommend the removal of the judge. The inquiry, triggered by the discovery of a huge sum of burnt cash at Justice Varma's official residence in New Delhi following a fire on March 14, has laid bare troubling details, say sources. The three-member committee, comprising Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice G. S. Sandhawalia, and Karnataka High Court Justice Anu Sivaraman, meticulously examined the evidence and testimony of 55 witnesses over several weeks, sources added. In its report, finalised on May 3, the committee unequivocally stated that the cash was found in a storeroom at 30 Tughlak Crescent, the official residence allotted to Justice Varma, according to sources. Sources said the panel concluded that access to the storeroom was under the 'covert or active control' of Justice Varma and his family, thereby establishing a direct link between the judge and the cache of cash. The report further states that strong inferential evidence indicates the burnt cash was removed from the storeroom in the early hours of March 15, hours after the fire, sources informed. The committee, weighing 'direct and electronic evidence on record,' expressed a firm view that the allegations of misconduct raised in the letter from the then Chief Justice of India dated March 22, 2025, are 'sufficiently substantiated' and serious enough to call for the initiation of removal proceedings against Justice Varma, sources said. Throughout the inquiry, the panel examined a broad spectrum of witnesses, including 11 officials from the Delhi Fire Services, multiple police personnel ranging from rank-and-file officers to top brass, three personal security officers assigned to Justice Varma, CRPF static guards, and domestic as well as court staff. Notably, the judge's daughter, who was present during the fire, and Justice Varma himself were questioned extensively.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
LS Speaker, VP yet to get CJI report on probe into judge
The offices of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar are yet to receive the report on Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma forwarded by the then Chief Justice of India to the President and the Prime Minister, suggesting that there's been no movement on a possible impeachment motion against him in the monsoon session . A senior functionary who asked not to be named said that the government is in no hurry to start the impeachment process against justice Verma, who has been sent back to the Allahabad HC after an undisclosed amount of currency, and some burnt currency notes were discovered in a room in his bungalow's compound by first responders to a fire. A top-ranking official of Parliament told HT that Birla is yet to receive any report and therefore, no preparation has started in the Lok Sabha secretariat for the impeachment, which is an elaborate process. Dhankhar's office, according to a second official, has not received any communication on this matter. A fourth person added that the government has also, not yet indicated any plans to call a separate session to mark 50 years of the Emergency on June 25 as reported by some media. A three-member enquiry panel formed by then Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna comprising Punjab and Haryana high court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh high court Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, and Karnataka high court judge, justice Anu Sivaraman submitted its report to CJI Khanna on May 5. The report confirmed that cash was indeed found at the residence of justice Varma, then a sitting Delhi high court judge. This cash was kept in a storeroom where a fire broke out March 14, following which fire service officials and police, engaged in dousing the flames, discovered half-burnt currency notes stacked in a sack. The police even recorded a video of the cash. HT reported earlier this month that questions about the money trail and recovery of cash are likely to be at the heart of justice Varma's defence. In his covering letter to the report, the former CJI pointed out that justice Varma has the option to resign from office or seek voluntary retirement. Justice Varma is currently a judge of the Allahabad high court and on the CJI's instruction, no judicial work is being assigned to him. While the government is unlikely to sit on the probe panel's report and the suggestion of CJI Khanna that justice Verma should be impeached, people aware of the government's strategy said that the Centre will first wait to see if justice Verma resigns . . 'An impeachment motion can come only in the monsoon session, which usually starts in July. So, what is the hurry?' asked the first functionary. Procedure for impeachment of HC judges The removal of high court judges is guided by Article 218 of the Constitution, which relies heavily on Article 124 that deals with removal of Supreme Court judges. The Constitution says that a high court judge shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the President passed after an address by each house of Parliament supported by a majority of the total membership of that house and by a majority of not less than two-third of the members of the house present and voting has been presented to the President in the same session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. 'Parliament may by law regulate the procedure for the presentation of an address and for the investigation and proof of the misbehavior or incapacity of a judge under clause,' it adds. The impeachment motion may be taken up in either house of parliament but in the Lok Sabha, at least 100 MPs have to sign the notice while in the Upper House, 50 lawmakers need to. According to PRS Legislative Research, 'the Speaker or Chairman may consult individuals and examine relevant material related to the notice. Based on this, he or she may decide to either admit the motion or refuse to admit it.' If the motion is admitted, according to the rules of the House, the Speaker or Chairman (whoever gets the notice) will constitute a three-member committee to investigate the complaint. The panel will have a Supreme Court judge, a chief justice of a high court and a distinguished jurist. 'The committee will frame charges based on which the investigation will be conducted. A copy of the charges will be forwarded to the judge who can present a written defence,' added PRS. Once the investigation is over, the committee will submit its report to the Speaker or Chairman— and the chair will table the report before his House. 'If the report records a finding of misbehaviour or incapacity, the motion for removal will be taken up for consideration and debated,' said PRS. Article 124 says, the motion must be 'supported by a majority of the total membership of that house and by a majority of not less than two-third of the members of the house present and voting has been presented to the President in the same session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.' Once the motion is adopted in both houses, it is sent to the President, who will issue an order for the removal of the judge.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Vizag filmmaker Sagi Sree Hari Varma to participate in ‘Cinemadamare' in Italy
Sagi Sree Hari Varma, a filmmaker and an alumnus of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (Oscars) Gold Rising Program, has been selected to participate in the Summer Filmmaking Program, 'Cinemadamare', scheduled to be held in Italy from June 29 to 27. A native of Visakhapatnam, Mr. Varma directed films and commercials for the FIFA World Cup and the United Nations and short film 'The Fool' shot at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank. The film-making programme will be organised in various regions of Italy during the summer months. Filmmakers are provided with opportunities to create short films in various locales, promoting Italian culture and landscapes. The programme will feature workshops, screenings, and collaborations with the local communities, fostering a unique environment for cultural exchange and cinematic creativity. This programme is supported by the Government of Italy and renowned Italian filmmakers. Mr. Varma has made short films, documentaries and advertisements. He has worked with and was mentored by renowned directors such as Ted Melfi. He has working experience with noted directors such as David Fincher, David Shane, Jim Jenkins and Trent O' Donnell. Mr. Varma is currently working on the script for his debut feature film. 'Participating in this programme offers a remarkable opportunity to collaborate with fellow filmmakers from around the world and to immerse myself in the rich cultural tapestry of Italy. I am eager to contribute to this vibrant exchange of ideas and storytelling,' Mr. Varma said.
Mint
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Injury concerns for Deepak Chahar & Tilak Varma? Mumbai Indians stars caught in discomfort before IPL 2025 Eliminator
In a significant development, Mumbai Indians players Deepak Chahar and Tilak Varma were caught in discomfort ahead of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 eliminator against Gujarat Titans. Having finished fourth in the league stage, Mumbai Indians will play third-placed Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator on Friday at Mullanpur. In a video that is going viral on social media, both Chahar and Varma were seen entering at an airport. While Varma was caught limping and had a knee-cap, Chahar too had a heavy taping around his thigh. For the unversed, Chahar injured his hamstring suffered in the first over of their match against Punjab Kings. Although the right-arm pacer continued his spell, but at the same time struggled with his line and length. Varma, too injured his knee while fielding in the same match. Chahar has played a crucial part in Mumbai Indians pace attack along with Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. The Rajasthan pacer picked up 11 wickets from 14 games for Mumbai Indians. As far as Varma is concerned, the left-hander so far accumulated 274 runs in 11 matches, including two fifties. Stay updated on all the action from the IPL 2025. Check the IPL 2025 Schedule, track the latest IPL 2025 Points Table, and follow the top performers with the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pushing the reforms agenda in the judiciary
An impeachment motion against sitting high court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, is likely in the next session of Parliament. If the Union government brings forward such a motion, and if it is successful, it will mark a series of dubious firsts. No judge of a constitutional court in independent India has been removed by Parliament and never have members of a ruling dispensation brought a motion to impeach a sitting judge. The Constitution bestows powers on Parliament for the removal of a judge under extraordinary circumstances and places a high bar on its usage — at least 100 signatories are needed in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha for an impeachment motion to be considered, and a two-thirds majority is required for it to be passed. There is little doubt that the allegations against Justice Varma are grave enough for the lawmakers to consider this step. But these charges must be probed thoroughly and transparently by the appropriate authorities, accompanied by the registration of a first information report if required. Since news of the sordid events first broke in March, it has repeatedly underlined the need for more transparency in the higher judiciary. Opaqueness harms the institution's public reputation. The apex court has already taken steps towards reforms by making public the assets held by several judges and publishing the process of appointments to high courts and the top court. This process is welcome and should continue and expand.
