Supreme Court to setup special bench to hear Justice Varmas plea; CJI recuses himself
The Chief Justice of India has recused himself from the case citing that he was part of the discussions with his predecessor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court will set up a special bench to hear a petition filed by Justice Yashwant Varma challenging the findings of the internal committee that indicted him following recovery of pile of burnt cash from his official residence.
The Chief Justice of India has recused himself from the case citing that he was part of the discussions with his predecessor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi. When senior advocate Kapil Sibal sought urgent listing of the petition, Chief Justice Gavai said, "It would not be proper for me to take up that matter. We will take a call and constitute a bench."
Sibbal is representing Justice Varma in the case.
"We have filed the petition on behalf of the Allahabad High Court judge. Some constitutional issues are involved. I request you to constitute a bench as soon as possible," Sibal said.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu (Punjab and Haryana High Court), Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh High Court), and Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court) will look into the matter.
The internal committee in its examination concluded that the cash recovered was under the 'covet or active control' of Justice Varma or his family. The bench also observed that Justice Varma failed to present satisfactory explanation and instead claimed he was being framed.
Justice Varma has now knocked the doors of the apex court challenging the finds of the internal committee.