Framed: Justice Varma

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday constituted a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry into the allegations against Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma following the purported discovery of a large stash of cash from the judge's residence last week.

- Utkarsh Anand

Justice Varma's judicial duties have also been withdrawn pending the inquiry.

The committee comprises Justice Sheel Nagu, chief justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Justice GS Sandhawalia, chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Justice Anu Sivaraman, judge of the Karnataka High Court.

"The chief justice of the High Court of Delhi has been directed not to assign any judicial work to justice Varma," said a statement issued by the Supreme Court administration.

While the inquiry has been initiated, CJI Khanna has also mandated that justice Varma should not dispose of or modify any data on his mobile phones even as call records are sought from service providers.

The decision was taken by the CJI following a recommendation by Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya for an in-house inquiry against justice Varma.

In his report, released late by the Supreme Court, justice Upadhyaya said: "I am of the prima facie opinion that the entire matter warrants a deeper probe." The inquiry marks a significant escalation in an unprecedented controversy that has the Supreme Court wrestling with concerns over judicial integrity.

While the Supreme Court collegium had on Thursday recommended justice Varma's transfer to the Allahabad high court-his parent high court- this new recommendation adds a layer of scrutiny.