‘Shocking case’: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar reacts to recovery of cash from Delhi HC judge’s residence

The issue of the alleged recovery of cash from the residence of a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court was raised in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar assured that he would find a mechanism for a structured discussion on the matter, as reported by PTI.

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Congress MP Jairam Ramesh raised the issue during the morning session, seeking the Chair’s response on judicial accountability and reminding him of a pending notice regarding the impeachment of a judge from the Allahabad High Court.

“This morning, we have read about a shocking case of huge amounts of cash unearthed at the residence of a judge of the Delhi High Court,” Ramesh said.

He also pointed out that earlier, 50 members of Parliament had submitted a notice to the chairman regarding certain remarks that were made by a judge of the Allahabad High Court.

Ramesh said the chairman himself has repeatedly spoken about the urgency for judicial accountability.

The senior Congress member also sought to remind Dhankhar that he had directed the Leader of the House on this issue.

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“I request that you please make some observations on this and give necessary directions to the government to come up with a proposal for increasing judicial accountability,” he added.

On the issue related to the alleged recovery of cash, Dhankhar said what “bothers” him is that the incident happened but did not come to light immediately.

He said if such an incident was related to a politician, a bureaucrat or an industrialist, the person concerned would have become a ‘target’ immediately.

“And, therefore, systemic response, which is transparent, accountable, effective, I am sure will be on the way,” he said.

The chairman further said he would get in touch with the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition and find a mechanism for a structured discussion during the course of the session.

A senior lawyer on Friday expressed pain and shock before the Delhi High Court over the alleged recovery of huge cash from the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, who did not hold court today.

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The Supreme Court Collegium has reportedly decided to transfer Justice Varma from the Delhi High Court to his parent Allahabad High Court citing allegations of recovery of huge cash from his residence.

On the impeachment matter, the chairman said he had received a representation from 55 members of the Rajya Sabha. Dhankhar further informed the members that he has taken all necessary steps to get verification from the signatories to the representation.

“Most members responded positively, helping me perform my duty,” he said and appealed to the remaining members to respond to the e-mails sent to them.

Dhankhar further said if the number of signatories is above 50, he will proceed accordingly.

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“Therefore, most of the members have cooperated. Those members who are not done so far, may please do it in response to the second mail sent to them. Then the process will not be delayed at my level, even for a moment,” he said.