Vice President Dhankhar Sounds Alarm on Judiciary’s ‘Ides of March’ Over Cash Scandal

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday called for a criminal investigation into the discovery of a large cash stash at a High Court judge’s official residence in New Delhi, likening the incident to the “Ides of March”—a Shakespearean reference to betrayal and impending doom from Julius Caesar. Speaking at the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) in Kochi, Dhankhar expressed deep concern over the judiciary’s response, warning that the incident threatens the public’s unshakable faith in the institution.

The cash, found on the night of March 14–15, 2025, at the residence of then-Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, has sparked controversy, with no First Information Report (FIR) filed to date. Dhankhar criticized the delay, stating that the system should have treated the matter as a criminal act immediately, identifying culprits and ensuring justice. He highlighted that a 1990s Supreme Court ruling, specifically the K Veeraswami vs Union of India judgment, prevents the government from registering an FIR against a judge without prior judicial approval, leaving the Centre “handicapped.”

“If such a volume of cash is found, we must ask: Is it tainted? What is its source? How was it stored in a judge’s residence? Who does it belong to?” Dhankhar said, emphasizing that multiple penal provisions appear violated. “The judiciary’s foundations are shaken. This citadel is tottering, and we must go to the root of this matter to preserve democracy.”

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Justice Varma, now transferred to the Allahabad High Court with no judicial duties assigned, has denied the allegations and submitted responses to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice and a Supreme Court-appointed panel. The panel, having recorded statements from over 50 individuals, including Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and Delhi Fire Service chief Atul Garg, continues its probe.

Dhankhar questioned the effectiveness of the in-house inquiry, arguing that investigations are the executive’s domain, not the judiciary’s, and that the panel lacks constitutional or legal standing. “The committee can only make recommendations, but to whom and for what? The only action against a judge lies with Parliament through impeachment, which is not a solution for immediate accountability,” he said.

The Vice President stressed the importance of the rule of law, noting that every cognizable offense must be reported to the police, and failure to do so is itself a crime. “An FIR can be filed against any constitutional functionary, including myself, without permission. Why should judges be an exception when the Constitution grants immunity only to the President and Governors?” he asked, calling for a revisit of the 1991 Supreme Court ruling that established this protection.

Dhankhar also raised broader concerns about judicial overreach, citing instances where the judiciary has encroached on executive and legislative domains, such as the Supreme Court’s recent directive setting a three-month deadline for the President to act on state bills. “Judges cannot act as a super-Parliament or perform executive functions without accountability. This violates the doctrine of separation of powers,” he said, warning that such actions could destabilize democracy.

Despite his critique, Dhankhar praised recent judicial leadership, noting that Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and his predecessor have ushered in an era of transparency by making inquiry materials public. “For the first time since Independence, a Chief Justice has acted with accountability, placing all material in the public domain,” he said, referring to the disclosure of documents related to the Varma case.

Dhankhar expressed alarm over public sentiment, amplified on platforms like X, where users have questioned the lack of an FIR and speculated about “bigger sharks” behind the scandal. “The nation is waiting with bated breath for the money trail and its purpose. Did it pollute the judicial system? Transparency is the only way to restore trust,” he urged.

The Vice President concluded by calling for systemic reform, including a review of post-retirement judicial appointments, which he argued foster patronage and undermine neutrality. “Our judiciary is the safest guarantee for citizens, but its integrity must be beyond question. We cannot allow this ‘Ides of March’ to erode public faith,” he said, urging law students to confront institutional failures fearlessly.

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