Amid Judge Burning Cash Scandal, Old Video of Arun Jaitley Demanding Judiciary Reforms Goes Viral

New Delhi: Amid India’s largest judicial corruption scandal involving Justice Yashwant Verma, an old video of Arun Jaitley, the former Minister of Law and Justice, has gone viral. In the video, Jaitley is seen advocating for much-needed reforms in the Indian judiciary.

The controversy surrounding Justice Verma, who was appointed to the Delhi High Court in 2021, erupted after a fire broke out at his Delhi bungalow during Holi last week. While firefighting efforts were underway, the firefighters discovered a large stash of cash hidden in the house and promptly alerted the police. The shocking revelation led the Supreme Court collegium, headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, to recommend Justice Verma’s transfer. Justice Verma, who was appointed as a judge at the Allahabad High Court in 2014, took oath as a Delhi High Court judge in October 2021.

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The investigation has raised serious concerns after reports emerged of a cover-up attempt. An official fire report failed to mention the discovery of the cash — allegedly worth over Rs 10 crore — leading to further suspicion about the integrity of the inquiry and the role of officials involved. The report only stated, "Fire was in stationary and domestic articles in a store room and no casualty involved."

Meanwhile, an old video of Arun Jaitley discussing the need for judicial reforms has resurfaced. The video shows Jaitley, who was Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, expressing strong support for the impeachment of a judge over proven misconduct. His remarks in the video have added fuel to the ongoing debate over the integrity of the judiciary.

"I concluded yesterday and am repeating that, I support Mr Sitaram Yechury's motion that this is a fit case of proven misconduct where the judge concerned must be removed from the office and the address to the president should be so recommended by the house," Jaitley said.

"Can we afford to have judges whose conduct is of this manner? The pleas that he raised are since the main suit is still pending, the issue is subjudice," Jaitley said adding: "The issue of Justice Sen's misconduct is a proven misbehaviour within article 124 and article 217 (of the constitution) which are not pending in any court."

The 10 Crore Cash Controversy

The controversy surrounding Justice Verma deepened after the unaccounted cash was found following a fire at his residence on March 14. At the time of the incident, Verma and his wife were away in Bhopal, while their daughter and staff alerted the fire department. After the fire was extinguished, bundles of cash were discovered in the outhouse, and the police were immediately notified.

The incident has raised serious questions about Verma's future in the judiciary, with the Supreme Court collegium recommending his transfer. The recommendations have been sent to the central government for further action.