Judge Cash Video: Multiple Clips Shot But Were Deleted, Asked Not To Circulate

New Delhi: In an explosive revelation, sources have informed Republic that junior officers of Delhi Police, who were at the site where the cash was being burnt, recorded the video but were later instructed to delete it and refrain from making copies. The video, which allegedly captured crucial evidence, was initially shared with senior officials. 

According to sources, once all stakeholders were made aware of the footage, instructions were issued from within the police to erase the video and ensure that no copies were retained. Furthermore, instructions were explicitly given to prevent the circulation of the footage. The reasons behind the instructions to erase the footage remain unclear, raising more questions about the handling and transparency of the investigation.  Whether the deleting of videos is part of the destruction of evidence is yet to be ascertained but the incident certainly has raised questions on faith in India's judiciary. 

The controversy erupted following a fire incident on the night of March 14, 2025, at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, located at 30, Tughlak Crescent, New Delhi. According to a report by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, the fire broke out in a storeroom adjacent to the judge's office, a space reportedly accessible to household staff and maintenance personnel. The room contained various household items, including furniture and mattresses. 

The initial fire report cited "stationery" as being burnt in the storeroom. However, a newly surfaced video has contradicted this claim, showing sacks of cash engulfed in flames.   

‘Gandhi Mein Aag Lag Rahi Hai': What's In The Clincher Video? 

Late Saturday, the Supreme Court publicly released a report, including three pictures and a video, related to the alleged recovery of a cash stash at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court.

The footage shows firemen navigating through charred currency notes after extinguishing the blaze.

As they assessed the scene, one of the firemen was heard remarking, “Gandhi mein aag lag rahi hai bhai,” in reference to Mahatma Gandhi’s image on the burning notes. The video also captures firemen removing the burnt cash after successfully dousing the flames.

Why Call Details & IP Records Could Hold the Key in Justice Yashwant Varma's Case

The Supreme Court of India has launched a probe into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, following the recovery of a large sum of cash in a storeroom at his official residence.

In a statement issued on March 22, after intense media scrutiny, the Chief Justice of India directed the collection of Call Detail Records (CDR) and Internet Data Protocol Records (IPDR) from Justice Varma's mobile devices for the past six months. Additionally, Justice Varma has been instructed not to dispose of his mobile phones or delete any data, including messages and call logs, to ensure the preservation of crucial evidence.

According to sources, Republic has learned that the call records and IP details will be scrutinized over the next week, as they are expected to play a key role in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Allahabad High Court Bar Association President Anil Tiwari has strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to merely transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court, instead of taking stricter action. Expressing his disappointment, he remarked, "Mere bachon ka bharosa toot gaya hai, thode log talab ko ganda kar rahe hain." (My children's trust has been broken; a few people are polluting the pond). 

Anger in Bar Associations Across India 

Bar Associations across the country have expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court's decision to transfer Justice Varma to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court.

Anil Tiwari, President of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, criticised the lack of transparency, stating, “Public faith is shattered, and nothing should be kept confidential. Ninety-nine percent of the judiciary is honest, and only a few individuals are responsible for such incidents. The Supreme Court must disclose all materials related to the case—what are they trying to protect? We are reaching out to bar associations nationwide, and the Allahabad Bar Association will hold a meeting on Monday to pass a resolution. We are in touch with the Gujarat and Kerala Bar Associations, and others are also supporting our cause.”

He further remarked, “Kuch logon ne talab ganda kar rakha hai” (a few individuals have tainted the system).

Echoing similar concerns, Ripu Daman, President of the Oudh Bar Association, questioned the Supreme Court's changing stance on the recovery of cash, stating, “Nobody is going to believe that the transfer is unrelated to the cash recovery.”

Timeline of Delhi Judge Cash Video: How Things Unfolded 

From the initial reports of a massive cash recovery to the emergence of the video and the Supreme Court’s decision to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court, here’s a detailed timeline of the key events that have shaped this case.   

In a hard-hitting interview, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court and King’s Counsel, UK, Harish Salve spoke exclusively with Republic Media Network’s Editor-in-Chief, addressing India’s biggest judicial corruption scandal. Following the discovery of unaccounted cash at Justice Yashwant Verma’s residence on March 14—after a fire incident—Salve launched a scathing critique of the judicial system, demanding accountability and urgent reforms.

'Judges Must Be Above Suspicion'

Speaking to Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief, top jurist Harish Salve condemned the collegium’s decision to transfer Justice Verma, calling it an inadequate response. “Judges are like Caesar’s wives and must be above suspicion,” he asserted, emphasizing that simply moving a judge suspected of wrongdoing does not resolve the issue.

Drawing comparisons, Salve questioned the consequences if a similar amount of cash—₹50 crore or ₹20 crore—had been recovered from a civil servant or a minister. In such cases, he argued, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would have acted immediately. “No court is a dustbin where you send people of questionable character,” he remarked, slamming the decision to transfer Verma as both improper and insufficient.

'Double Standards in Judiciary’s Response'

Salve further accused the judiciary of maintaining "double standards." If the allegations were serious enough to warrant action, he argued, the appropriate step should have been a suspension from judicial duties and an impartial inquiry. “This was a moment to show transparency. Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” he said, calling for a thorough investigation.

'A Credible Inquiry Was Needed'

Advocating for an independent probe, Salve outlined a structured response that could have restored faith in the judiciary. He suggested forming a committee of three members—one judge and two eminent citizens—to conduct a fair investigation. “If such a panel had exonerated the judge, it would have carried credibility. If it had indicted him, impeachment should have followed,” he explained.

When asked about the impeachment process, Salve elaborated on the necessary steps. “If there is a strong suspicion of corrupt practice, even before establishing prima facie guilt, what would have been done in the case of a civil servant? He would have been suspended and an inquiry would have been ordered. The same should apply here—withdraw judicial work and ensure a fair probe,” he added.