CJI briefs SC judges on justice Varma case, says transfer is just the beginning

NEW DELHI: According to those with knowledge of the situation, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna gave all Supreme Court judges the assurance that the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma was "just the beginning" and that he was ready to take "more serious steps" in the case if necessary, on Friday.

This was explained by the CJI at a casual tea party with Supreme Court judges on Friday morning. He gave a thorough explanation of the series of events that resulted in the collegium's decision to return Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court the previous day. Large sums of cash were found at the judge's official Delhi apartment, which prompted the transfer.

People with knowledge of the case informed that CJI Khanna was adamant that transferring justice Varma alone was not the best course of action and that he was determined to take all required actions to preserve institutional credibility and judicial integrity.