Supreme Court halts investigation into Judge Yashwant Varma

The Supreme Court has put a stop to the investigation into a judge's actions after a large sum of cash was found at his home. Judge Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court was involved in this scandal, prompting the Chief Justice of India to recommend his transfer to the Allahabad High Court. The case began when the Lokpal, an anti-corruption agency, sought to investigate the judge for allegedly influencing other judges. However, the Supreme Court took notice and suspended the Lokpal's investigation, stating that it was important to protect the independence of the judiciary. This decision has raised concerns about the accountability of judges and whether judicial independence is being misused to avoid scrutiny. The controversy dates back to changes made during the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011. This movement resulted in the Lokpal Act, aimed at fighting corruption among government officials, including judges. Previous laws required government permission to prosecute judges, creating a barrier to addressing corruption in the judiciary. Despite established procedures for investigating judges, there are still significant protections in place. For example, any investigation into a judge requires prior approval from the Chief Justice. Past cases show that even when investigations uncover wrongdoing, the options for action against judges, like transfers or resignations, are limited. Questions remain about why the Lokpal, which can investigate high-ranking officials, cannot pursue allegations against a sitting judge. This ongoing issue of judicial accountability is one that the Supreme Court must address soon, keeping the public's interest in focus.