Why probe against Justice Yashwant Varma may not conclude early
What's the story
Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, has launched a judicial probe into the allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma. The investigation is likely to be time-consuming as several facets need to be examined.
A three-member panel including Punjab & Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh CJ G S Sandhawalia, and Karnataka High Court Judge Anu Sivaraman has been formed for the same.
Investigation details
Panel's task involves examining multiple people
The panel has a lot of work to do: it has to examine several people, including the first responders to a fire at Justice Varma's residence on March 14.
It will also conduct a forensic examination of footage of burnt cash and check if the place where the cash was burnt corresponds to the storeroom at Varma's home.
Expert assistance required
Justice Varma cited Delhi fire chief's 'no cash found' statement
The probe will need expert help to analyze the judge's call data records.
This comes since Justice Varma quoted the Delhi fire chief's "no cash found at the judge's residence" statement in his defense.
The Delhi fire chief might be called in to explain his statement and subsequent U-turn, adding another layer of complexity to this investigation.
Personnel questioning
Security personnel and staff to be questioned
Security personnel who said the judge's staff removed "debris and half-burnt" items on March 15 (a claim Justice Varma denied) will also be questioned.
This includes their colleagues who have been on security duty at the bungalow for the past six months.
Staff members who worked at Justice Varma's home, including his personal assistants, will also be called in for questioning.
Call records
Inquiry to examine call data records
The inquiry panel will examine the call data records of Justice Varma's official and personal phones.
Experts from the information technology and telecom industries will be roped in for the job.
The judge has been directed to refrain from deleting data from his phones during the investigation period by Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Devendra Kumar Upadhyay.