The recent controversy surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, has thrust the Indian judiciary into an uncomfortable spotlight. Following a fire at his official residence on March 14, 2025, reports emerged of a significant amount of unaccounted cash being discovered, sparking widespread debate about judicial integrity and accountability.

While the judge has denied any wrongdoing, calling it a conspiracy to malign him, the incident has reignited calls for systemic reforms to ensure transparency within India’s judiciary. Here are five critical points underscoring why this case highlights the urgent need for accountability in the judicial system.

The judiciary in India is often hailed as the last bastion of justice, a pillar of democracy that commands rare public confidence. However, the discovery of allegedly large sums of cash at a judge’s residence—whether substantiated or not—strikes at the heart of this trust.

Reports indicate that the incident, coupled with the Supreme Court’s initial response of transferring Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court, has left citizens questioning whether the system protects its own rather than upholds justice.

Legal experts have argued that such incidents fuel perceptions of impunity, especially when the judiciary opts for internal enquiries over transparent investigations. Without clear answers about the origins of the cash or the circumstances of the fire, the public is left to........

© Free Press Journal