Justice Yashwant Verma's Cash Scandal: Key Witnesses and Findings Revealed
Overview of the Investigation
Justice Yashwant Verma is currently embroiled in a cash scandal, with a committee formed by the Supreme Court to investigate the matter. A report has surfaced, which is the basis for the recommendation of impeachment against him. This 64-page document includes testimonies from 55 witnesses, including Justice Verma's daughter, Diya Verma. The committee gathered statements from various sources, including 11 from the Delhi Fire Service, 14 from the Delhi Police, and 6 from the CRPF, along with 18 individuals from Justice Verma's domestic and court staff. Notably, the most critical testimonies come from ten firefighters who were first responders at the scene and witnessed the cash firsthand.
Key Witnesses in the Case
1. Ankit Sahrawat (Fire Officer, DFS): He reported seeing a pile of partially burnt ₹500 notes illuminated by his flashlight in the storeroom, which had become wet due to water used to extinguish the fire.
2. Pradeep Kumar (Fire Officer, DFS): Upon entering the storeroom, he felt something underfoot and discovered a stack of ₹500 notes, which he promptly reported to his colleagues outside.
3. Manoj Mahalawat (Station Officer, DFS): He took photographs of the scene and confirmed seeing the burnt cash after the fire was extinguished. His voice can be heard in a video saying, 'Mahatma Gandhi is on fire, brother.'
4. Bhawer Singh (Driver, DFS): In his 20 years of service, he had never encountered such a large amount of cash, leaving him astonished.
5. Praveen Malik (Fire Officer, DFS): He observed that cash packed in plastic bags had been burned, exacerbated by a liquor cabinet that fueled the flames.
6. Suman Kumar (Assistant Divisional Officer, DFS): He informed a senior officer about the cash found but was instructed not to take further action due to the involvement of influential individuals.
7. Rajesh Kumar (Tughlak Road Police Station, Delhi Police): After the fire was extinguished, he saw the burnt cash and noticed people recording videos at the scene.
8. Sunil Kumar (In-Charge, ICPCR): He peered into the storeroom with a flashlight and saw the charred cash, capturing three videos.
9. Roop Chand (Head Constable, Tughlak Road Police Station): Following the SHO's orders, he recorded the entire incident on his mobile phone, noting that the notes were spread from the storeroom door to the back wall.
10. Umesh Malik (SHO, Tughlak Road Police Station): He witnessed a pile of burnt ₹500 notes standing 1.5 feet high, with some notes bundled together while others were scattered in water.
Major Reasons for Suspicion
1. WhatsApp Chats with Staff: Justice Verma's staff indicated that communication on the night of March 14-15 occurred solely via WhatsApp, and this data could not be recovered. The committee deemed the concealment of this chat unusual.
2. Missing CCTV Footage: The incident occurred on the night of March 14, giving Justice Verma ten days to secure the footage, which he failed to do. The committee rejected his claim of the footage being lost.
3. Claims of Conspiracy without Evidence: The committee stated that once the presence of cash was established, it was Justice Verma's responsibility to clarify its origin, but he only claimed conspiracy without providing solid evidence.
4. Failure to Inspect the Storeroom: Neither Justice Verma nor his wife visited the storeroom after returning to Delhi, which the committee found unusual for someone concerned about the damage.
5. No Complaints Filed: The report noted that Justice Verma did not file a complaint with the police or inform the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or High Court about the incident, nor did he clarify whether the cash belonged to someone else or how it ended up there.
Next Steps
The investigation report was compiled by Chief Justice Shil Nagoo of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia of the Himachal High Court, and Judge Anu Shivraman of the Karnataka High Court. The findings indicate that the allegations against Justice Verma are serious, suggesting that it is inappropriate for him to remain in a judicial position.