Cops quizzed over laxity in HC judge cash probe

A committee set up by the Supreme Court to probe allegations against justice Yashwant Varma turned its attention to possible procedural lapses and laxity by the authorities after the purported discovery of cash at the Delhi high court judge's house earlier this month, as it questioned six police officers and the city fire chief on Thursday.

- Jignasa Sinha

The three-member panel comprising 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 questioned the station house officer of Tughlak Road police station Umesh Malik, a sub-inspector with the PCR unit of the Delhi Police, head constable and investigating officer Roop Chand, sub-inspector Rajneesh and two other police officers of Tughlak Road police station and Delhi's fire chief Atul Garg.

"We were questioned for onetwo hours each. The committee asked about the volume of the cash we witnessed, why we didn't file an official report or receipt, and whether we informed our seniors and other agencies in time. There were dozens of questions asked," said a police officer who was questioned, requesting anonymity.

A second officer said the panel asked the Delhi Fire Services about its preliminary report, the response and action in the case, and what action the firefighters took after ostensibly discovering the cash.

Deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla and Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora might also be called for questioning by the panel in the coming days, said people aware of developments.

"The role of the district staff is being probed, and they are being asked why they didn't preserve the spot sooner, and what instructions did they receive from their seniors on March 14 and 15. A list of 25 officials of the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, New Delhi Municipal Corporation and other agencies has been made by senior police officers. They are all likely to be questioned by the SC-appointed panel. We are also taking down their details," said the second officer, requesting anonymity.