Delhi HC Directs Continued CRPF Security For Justice Yashwant Varma After Transfer Amid Fire, Cash Row

Even though Justice Yashwant Varma was recently transferred to the Allahabad High Court, the Delhi High Court has ordered Delhi Police to keep him safe at his official residence in the capital. This comes after a March 14 fire at his home in Delhi, which sparked intense controversy when partially burned bags of Indian currency were purportedly found.

"I am directed to inform you that Hon'ble Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge of this court, consequently upon transfer/repatriation to Allahabad High Court, is retaining the official bungalow," said Deputy Registrar (Project and Planning) S. P. Gupta in a formal communication to the Delhi Police on April 5.

The request is presently being considered, according to a senior official at Delhi Police headquarters. One month following a transfer from the current position, protection is typically revoked in accordance with the Ministry of Home Affairs' "Yellow Book" guidelines on VIP and VVIP security.

In addition to CRPF officers stationed at his home, Justice Varma, who is under Y-category security, is currently guarded by three Delhi Police personal security officers.

Late on March 14, while Justice Varma and his spouse were away, a fire started in the storeroom of his official bungalow, sparking the controversy. His personal assistant reported the fire at approximately 11:30 p.m., and it was put out by midnight. The police officers who had arrived at the scene were reportedly asked to return in the morning by Justice Varma's PA after the incident.

Details of the fire were included in the morning diary, which was turned in by the New Delhi district's additional DCP by 8 a.m. on March 15.The report was forwarded to Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, who reviewed video footage allegedly showing burnt currency and subsequently informed the Union Home Ministry and Delhi High Court Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya at around 4:50 pm.

Justice Varma's transfer to the Allahabad High Court was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium on March 20 and announced by the Center on March 28. This occurred only a few days after a three-person court panel was established to look into the purported cash recovery from his home.

All of the security guards stationed at Justice Varma's home have since provided statements to the judicial committee. DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla sealed the storeroom where the alleged cash was discovered after receiving instructions from the panel.

Justice Varma denied any knowledge of cash at the scene in response to Chief Justice Upadhyaya. He said, "My daughter and my private secretary called the fire department when the fire started at midnight, and their calls would be properly recorded." Due to safety concerns, all employees and members of my household were asked to leave the scene of the incident during the firefighting exercise.

When they returned to the scene of the incident after the fire had been extinguished, they found no cash or currency there.

Until further decisions are made, it is anticipated that Justice Varma will continue to be in charge of CRPF security in Delhi as long as he keeps his official bungalow.