“It is for the first time since independence that a Chief Justice of India has, in a transparent and accountable manner, put all materials available to him in public domain and shared without keeping anything with the Court. This is a step in the right direction." stated Vice President & Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar as he commended Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna for releasing reports concerning the internal proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma regarding the alleged discovery of cash at his official residence.

"It is for the first time since independence that a Chief Justice of India has, in a transparent and accountable manner, put all materials available to him in public domain and shared without keeping anything with the Court. This is a step in the right direction. Constitution of a committee by the Chief Justice of India and the alertness he has reflected. Institutions like judiciary and legislature serve their purpose best when their in-house mechanism is effective, fast, and upholding public trust. Since this time the head of judiciary, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna has initiated action in a very, very impactful and transparent manner, it will be worthwhile to wait for the outcome of the Committee as that will enable us to have entire material before us." stated the Vice President.

The Vice President also welcomed the CJI's decision to establish a three-member committee to investigate the allegations against Justice Varma. The committee was constituted following the submission of a report by the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. Its members include Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court; Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court; and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the Karnataka High Court.

The said appreciation comes out of a meeting which took place between VP Dhankar, Leader of the House, JP Nadda, and Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge where VP Dhankar acknowledged a thoughtful suggestion from Kharge, aligning with parliamentary practice, to deliberate the issue with floor leaders. He also plans to convene a meeting with floor leaders in the Council of States.

Vice President & Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar’s Statement