A fire at the home of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma last week led to the discovery of a large amount of unaccounted cash, prompting the Supreme Court Collegium to transfer him to the Allahabad High Court.
CJI Sanjiv Khanna-led Collegium approved Varma's transfer back to his parent court, following reports linking him to the cash recovery.
According to reports, Justice Yashwant Varma was not in town when the fire broke out at his residence on March 14. His family members called the fire and rescue services and the police.
The fire and rescue services personnel stumbled upon a huge stash of cash inside the bunglow on Tughlak Road in the national capital.
Following this, the Delhi Police informed the Ministry of Home Affairs. The MHA sent a report to the CJI.
This prompted the collegium to unanimously decide on Justice Varma's transfer, moving him back to his parent High Court in Allahabad, where he had previously served before being appointed to the Delhi HC in October 2021, Times Now reported.
However, some members of the five-judge collegium raised concerns that merely transferring the judge would not be sufficient in a case of this magnitude, the report claimed.
They warned that failing to take stricter action could tarnish the judiciary's credibility and erode public trust in the institution, the report added.
A News 18 report noted that earlier in 1999, the Supreme Court had laid down guidelines to deal with allegations of corruption, wrongdoing, and judicial irregularity against judges of the Constitutional Court.
As per the guidelines, if a complaint is received against a judge, the Chief Justice will first seek a reply from the judge concerned. If he is dissatisfied with the answer or feels the matter requires further investigation, he will form an internal committee.
During the inquiry, if the committee feels that the alleged misconduct is of a grave nature requiring removal, it will ask the judge to resign.
Senior lawyer mentions incident before HC, expresses pain
Meanwhile, a senior lawyer on Friday expressed pain and shock before the Delhi High Court over the alleged recovery of huge cash from the residence of Justice Varma, who did not hold court today.
As the lawyer said he and many others were shaken by the development, Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya shared the emotions, and said "so is everybody. We are conscious."
Senior advocate Arun Bhardwaj also mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela to take some steps so that such incidents do not happen in future.
"We respect the system a lot. Each of the judges are respected a lot. We are shaken my lords and demoralised. Please take some steps. I am not expressing my pain any further and I am sure I am expressing the pain of many of my brothers. Please take some steps to see that such incidents do not happen," Bhardwaj said.
At around 11 am, the court master of Justice Varma's court announced that the division bench was on leave on Friday and any urgent mentioning can be made before another bench.
(With additional inputs from PTI)
NEW DELHI: Fire fighters found no cash during their operation to douse flames at the residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma, Delhi Fire Services Chief Atul Garg said on Friday.
The control room received a call about a blaze at Varma's Lutyens Delhi residence at 11. 35 pm on March 14 and two fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot, Garg told PTI.
Fire tenders reached the spot at 11.43 pm.
The fire was in a store room stocked with stationery and domestic articles, Garg said, adding that it took 15 minutes to control the flames. There were no casualties.
"Soon after dousing the flames, we informed police about the fire incident. Thereafter, a team of fire department personnel left the spot. Our fire fighters did not find any cash during their fire fighting operation," the DFS chief said.
On Friday, the Supreme Court collegium commenced an initial inquiry against Varma from whose official residence a large stash of cash was allegedly discovered during the fire incident.
It also reportedly called for his transfer to the Allahabad High Court.
According to Manipur dance history, the gracefully choreographed dance form of Raas Leela typically associated with Manipuri performance art was first introduced decades ago, sometime in 1779 by Ningthou Ching-Thang Khomba, also known as Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra, a 18th century Meitei monarch. Raas Leela’s deities are Lord Krishna and his beloved, Radha. The two are considered the ideal divine couple. What first drew the photographer Sanjay Das's attention to the dance form was its unique features. Excerpts from a conversation with TMS with Das to discuss his upcoming exhibition ‘Krishna and the Kadamba Tree’ (curated by Ina Puri) at Museo Camera, Gurugram.
Why are the photos in black and white?
I saw this as a personal challenge—capturing a vibrant religious festival of Manipur in black and white. Since it is primarily celebrated on the full moon night, my aim was to highlight the depth of the performance by focusing on the subject and evoking the nostalgic mood of Basanta Raas.
Why are the expressions of what is one of the most idealistic divine love stories -- in Manipuri why are the expressions of this placid and serene?
The dance of divine love was performed in the temple courtyard of Radhakund, near Vrindavan, in the presence of an audience of ‘Bhaktas’—devoted disciples who were deeply engaged and became an integral part of the experience. The atmosphere created between the performers and the Bhaktas immersed everyone in the ethereal beauty of Raas Leela. Every gesture, every mudra, became a poetic expression of spiritual love, bringing to life the tales of divine romance, making the performance both tranquil and sublime.
What drew you to capture Raas Leela and why do you think it is important to the Manipuri identity?
One early morning in 2017, while reading the newspaper, I came across news of a troupe from Manipur arriving at Radhakund, near Vrindavan, to perform the Raas Leela.
Having visited Radhakund numerous times before, I had a strong intuition that this performance would be more than just a stage act—it would be divine and deeply serene. Without hesitation, I grabbed my camera bags and set off, reaching Radhakund by the afternoon. After making inquiries, I discovered that the performance would take place on the open verandah of one of the temples.
As I stepped onto the temple grounds, I was instantly captivated by the scene before me. The troupe members were fully engrossed in their preparations for the late-night performance. I immersed myself in capturing every moment—from the meticulous application of makeup and the tying of turbans to the placement of tilak, dressing rituals, and tuning of musical instruments. Witnessing these preparations was an experience in itself.
The process continued until sunrise, each moment unfolding with a sense of intimacy and devotion. Unlike conventional stage performances, this Ras Leela had a rare, authentic aura. The temple verandah floor became the stage, and the audience comprised local residents from nearby temples and homes, adding to the deeply spiritual and immersive atmosphere.
Who is your most favourite Manipuri dancers of the Raas Leela and why and since when have you been photographing them? Who are the dancers in this photography series and how did you come across them?
While Guru Bipin Singh remains a leading exponent of Manipuri Raas Leela, my personal connection to this art form traces back to my college days at the College of Art, New Delhi. My friends and I would often drift toward Triveni Kala Sangam, Mandi House, drawn to its artistic energy. We spent hours on the amphitheater steps, tea and samosas in hand, watching as Guru Singhajit Singh and Charu Sija Mathur guided their students through the hypnotic beats of Nata Sankirtana—an entrancing ritual of song, percussion, and movement.
Though I wasn’t photographing them then, those evenings lingered in my subconscious, shaping my artistic vision. It was these memories that led me to Radhakund, urging me to document the divine grace of Raas Leela. This performance was presented by members of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy.
When is Raas Leela performed?
The Manipuri Raas Leela consists of five types: Basanta Raas, performed during the full moon of March-April; Maha Raas, exclusively performed during the full moon period of November-December; Nitya Raas; Kunja Raas; and Diba Raas, which is performed only during the daytime.
NEW DELHI: After losing its home turf Delhi in the Assembly elections held last month, the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday announced a major organisational rejig by appointing former minister Saurabh Bharadwaj as the new president of its Delhi unit and senior leader Manish Sisodia as its in-charge for Punjab.
While Bharadwaj replaces Gopal Rai, Sisodia takes charge of Punjab, the only state in the country where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is currently in power.
The decisions were made during a meeting of the AAP's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) at the residence of party supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
Kejriwal, in a post on X, congratulated the party leaders on being given the new responsibilities.
AAP General Secretary (Organisation) Sandeep Pathak, after the PAC meeting, said Gopal Rai would now be in charge of Gujarat, where the party is aiming to expand its base.
Pathak, a Rajya Sabha MP, has been named in charge of the AAP's Chhattisgarh unit, while Pankaj Gupta will lead the party's Goa chapter.
Punjab, Gujarat and Goa will hold Assembly elections in two years.
Mehraj Malik has been named the new chief of the party's Jammu and Kashmir unit.
The party has also appointed co-in-charges for the state units, including Satyendar Jain for Punjab, Durgesh Pathak for Gujarat, and Ankush Narang, Abhash Chandela, and Deepak Singhla for Goa.
Bharadwaj said that in the Delhi Assembly polls, AAP received around 43.5 percent of the votes, which was just two percent less than that of the BJP.
"Even in these circumstances, half of Delhi voted for AAP," he told reporters.
"We have to take care of them as well as those who voted for the BJP and strengthen the party."
The new AAP chief for the Delhi unit said that organisation building is easier after a defeat because many people join the party at the time of victory, but those who stick together even in defeat are pure gold.
"We will strengthen the party and expand the organisation," he said.
Sisodia, in a post on X, thanked Kejriwal and the party leadership for giving him the responsibility to work as in-charge of Punjab.
"My endeavor will be that all AAP leaders, workers, and the government, under the leadership of @BhagwantMann ji, together fulfill the expectations of the people of Punjab and live up to their trust," he said.
The former Deputy Chief Minister in the AAP government in Delhi mentioned that the affection of the people in Punjab is his inspiration.
"The results of the AAP government's work in Punjab are visible now, and it's time to give rocket speed to this change," he added.
At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is threatening to take over human labour, an author has made a perfect blend of human art and words with AI. How was it done? At the official launch of his new book Rhapsody Road (Om Books International) at The Park in Delhi, Ravi Shankar Etteth, author, journalist, poet, and political cartoonist, discussed how the book became a successful experiment of blending words with tech, considered poles apart, and his “accidental journey as a poet”.
Following a busy book launch and signing session, Etteth, consulting editor, The Sunday Magazine, The New Indian Express, said: “Everything that I have done in my life, I have done purely by accident. I became the editorial cartoonist of The Indian Express when I was 20, by accident. And the same goes for my latter stints in the Observer Media Group, India Today, and The New Indian Express. Similarly, I wrote six novels, and all of them resulted from accidents. So, this book (Rhapsody Road) is also an accident and not a deliberate one. Nothing in my life is deliberate until I start doing it,” he said.
Etteth said he does not want to define himself in the categories of editor, creator, or writer as they are extensions of himself. The book follows a similar pattern. It is not guided by one particular theme. “While on a journey, we all take a road and look at different things. We notice a man on a motorcycle, a woman in a car, or people kissing each other. That goes for the book too. It carries different poems without a guiding concept. However, it does have that one road leading to all journeys,” he said.
The use of AI
The use of AI or tech at a very advanced level is a fascinating aspect of the book. The book not only carries illustrations made through AI—Etteth called it AIgraphs—but the back cover also features a QR code so that after scanning it, readers can listen to the musical version of each poem.
When asked about this innovative blend of technology with literature, Etteth said he has “always been interested in technologies since the very beginning of my career. At the Observer, I adopted technology with news. In the India Today group, I did the same thing, I brought a lot of creative technologies in the newsmaking field. So, technology has always appealed to me. I always think that technology has limitless possibilities. I do not see human beings as slaves of technology. Instead, they share a symbiotic relationship. Technology adds to people and people add to technology. It is all about finding the perfect mix and match. For instance, in this book, the music one hears after scanning the code is created through queues. With AI, you can try multiple things as it comes with varieties”.
For Etteh, AI is a medium to generate creativity. “If I write a book, no one calls the book an artificial one. However, the medium that I am using, changes and evolves with time. Earlier, books were written using pen and paper, then it was the turn of typewriters, then came computers, and now we have AI. So for me, AI is a medium to express my creativity. As the possibilities are limitless, in the coming time, the combination of AI and literature will go hand in hand,” he noted.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Traffic Police plays a key role in solving criminal cases across the city, assisting other units, including the local police, in solving approximately 15 cases every month. This is made possible by the traffic unit’s extensive network of over 300 cameras installed throughout the national capital, officials said on Thursday.
According to a senior police officer, requests for help in investigations frequently come from various units of the Delhi Police.
“We have 209 red-light violation detection (RLVD) cameras and 125 over-speed violation detection (OSVD) cameras. Using this technology, our traffic personnel collaborate with the local police or other unit officials to support investigations,” the officer said.
Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chaudhary highlighted the significant role of technology in solving cases, saying, “This technology is helping the police investigate and resolve cases across the city. This is an additional responsibility that traffic personnel handle alongside their core duties of traffic regulation and enforcement.”
In addition to the routine tasks, the Traffic Police is tasked with managing the flow of traffic throughout the city, ensuring smooth vehicular movement, and coordinating with various civic agencies.
“We regulate traffic signals, blinkers, and work to provide clear roads to daily commuters,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic Headquarters) Satyavir Katara.
He added that the traffic police also enforces traffic laws under the Motor Vehicles Act, issuing challans for violations such as overspeeding and red-light jumping via an automated enforcement system.
“About 22,000 challans are issued daily through the OSVD and RLVD cameras, operating 24/7,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic Headquarters) Shashank Jaiswal noted that the traffic unit is also committed to raising public awareness about road safety.
“The unit conducts numerous campaigns focused on the dangers of drunk driving, the importance of wearing helmets and seatbelts and preventing overloading. These awareness drives take place in schools, colleges, and workplaces, featuring engaging activities such as awareness sessions, bike rallies, walkathons, intersection campaigns, and street plays (Nukkad Natak), making the message both interesting and effective,” the DCP said.
The Delhi Traffic Police also tracks and maintains comprehensive accident data through its Crash Research Cell, said officials. This includes details such as the location of accidents, the severity (minor, serious, or fatal), the cause, and vehicle type (private or commercial). This data helps authorities understand accident patterns and take preventive measures.
Moreover, the Traffic Prahari application plays a vital role in involving citizens in maintaining traffic discipline, said police. This app allows the public to report traffic violations by uploading images or videos of offenders.
Solving crimes with cameras and tech
Traffic Police helps solve 15 criminal cases monthly by assisting other units
Operates 300+ cameras, including 209 RLVD and 125 OSVD cameras
Traffic officers collaborate with local police on investigations
Manages traffic flow, signals and issues 22,000 daily challans
Conducts awareness drives on drunk driving, seatbelts and helmets
The Traffic Prahari app lets citizens report violations and earn rewards
NEW DELHI: Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of a woman who was strangled and dumped in the southwest Delhi’s Chhawla area, police said on Thursday.
The 22-year-old woman’s body was found in a drain tied with a stone, police said. The matter came to light after a swollen body was found afloat by a few locals on March 17, who informed the local police station.
A senior police officer said that the woman had been identified as Komal.
She went missing on March 12, following which her family members filed a complaint at the Seemapuri police station and a report was lodged next day. A case has been registered after inspection by the forensic team, the officer added.
During the investigation, police checked the CCTV footage of the area and saw the car number in which the victim was travelling. Using the car number, the police tracked down the car owner and questioned him. Later, two accused persons, Asif Khan and Zubair, were arrested, the officer added.
Khan was the victim’s friend. Zubair, another accused in the case, is the friend of Khan and was with them when the incident took place, police said, adding that both the accused work as taxi drivers. Komal lived with her family in the Sundar Nagri area. She had previously worked as a civil defence volunteer in the Shahdara district.
Last month, she started a job at a call centre in east Delhi, said her family members.
“On March 12, the accused took Komal with him in his car. They had an argument and the accused strangled her to death,” the police said.
Later, the accused allegedly tied her body with a stone and threw it into a drain. The family members of the victim said that they were called to Chhawla for the identification of the body.
“We need justice for our daughter and the accused must be hanged,” the family members said.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a petition filed by committees of three temples – Purbo Delhi Kali Bari Samiti, Sri Amarnath Mandir Sanstha, Sri Badri Nath Mandir – in Mayur Vihar Phase 2, challenging a demolition notice issued by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on March 19, 2025.
However, the Delhi High Court-ordered demolition of the three temples was postponed in face of a protest led by the local MLA on Thursday. A DDA team accompanied by police reached the locality around 4 am Thursday to raze the temples supposedly built in a green belt in the area’s Phase 2.
Although the three-judge bench of the apex court, led by Justice Vikram Nath, and Justices Sanjay Karol and Sanjay Mehta dismissed the plea, it, however, granted liberty to the petitioners to approach the high court for relief.
On Thursday, when the SC took up the case for hearing, it seemed a direction was likely but the plea was later dismissed, asking petitioners to approach the high court.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, appearing for the petitioners, argued for staying the demolition by the civic agency. He claimed the demolition notice was affixed by officials of 9 pm on Wednesday, March 19 and the temple management was informed that the demolition drive would take place at 4 am on March 20.
“No opportunity of hearing was accorded to the temples by any authority of DDA or any religious committee,” he said.
Jain seeking immediate stay on the demolition by DDA, said, the temples are nearly 35 years old and the DDA itself granted permission to the Kali Bari Samiti for conducting Durga Puja on the grounds in front of the temple.
“DDA has on its own whims and fancies and have decided to demolish the temple in complete violation of the judgment passed by this court as well as in violation of the provisions contained in Article 14 and 25 of the Constitution. No opportunity of hearing was afforded to the petitioners by any authority of DDA or any religious committee,” the plea said.
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to submit a comprehensive report in connection with an alleged Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation by Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra during the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections.
The directive came from Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vaibhav Chaurasia of the Rouse Avenue Court, who has scheduled the matter for arguments on April 8.
The case stems from an accusation that Mishra made inflammatory remarks during the election period, prompting a complaint from the Election Commission. The court has also sought a status report from DCP North West regarding the retrieval of evidence from social media platform X, where the contentious post was allegedly shared by Mishra.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that Mishra’s appeal against the summoning order was dismissed by the sessions court on March 7. His legal team, led by Senior Advocate Pavan Narang, has since filed a quashing petition before the High Court, which is set for a hearing on May 19, 2025. However, no stay has been granted on the trial court’s proceedings.
The matter is currently at the stage of charge framing. The Rouse Avenue Court had previously dismissed Mishra’s revision petition, challenging the trial court’s decision to take cognizance of the charges against him. The trial court had earlier ruled that his statements made in January 2020, while the MCC was in force, warranted legal scrutiny under Section 125 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (RP Act).
In its ruling, Special Judge Jitendra Singh emphasised that the Election Commission has a constitutional responsibility to prevent candidates from engaging in communal rhetoric during election campaigns. The court stated that Mishra had strategically used the word “Pakistan” in his statements, allegedly to stoke religious divisions for electoral gains.
“The reference to ‘Pakistan’ in the accused’s statement is a thinly veiled attempt to foster communal disharmony under the guise of political rhetoric. Such conduct not only undermines the electoral process but also poses a direct threat to democratic integrity,” the court remarked.
The court firmly rejected the argument that Section 125 of the RP Act was inapplicable since Mishra’s statement did not mention any religion, caste, or community. It ruled that the underlying implications of his remarks were enough to meet the legal threshold of promoting enmity among religious groups.
Murder charges against 8 in 2020 riots case
A Delhi court has framed murder charges against eight individuals for the brutal killing of auto driver Babbu during the communal violence in North-East Delhi’s Khajuri Khas area in February 2020. The court found sufficient evidence to prosecute them under various IPC sections, including rioting and murder. However, eleven others were discharged due to a lack of conclusive proof. Video evidence confirmed the communal nature of the attack, showing Babbu being chased and assaulted during the clashes.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that it would first hear the police’s objections before ruling on a plea seeking to amend the prayers in a case concerning the December 2019 violence at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI).
A bench comprising Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani underscored the necessity of procedural adherence, asserting that no order could be passed without affording both parties an opportunity to present their arguments.
“The police have raised serious objections to the petitioners’ application for amending the prayers. Before even considering the matter related to the lodging of an FIR, we must first decide on this amendment application, which faces strong opposition from the state,” the bench stated.
The court clarified that only if the amendment was allowed would the petitioners be permitted to argue their request for registering an FIR.
The case stems from multiple petitions filed in the aftermath of the 2019 violence, seeking various reliefs, including the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), an inquiry commission, medical aid for injured students, compensation, and legal action against police officers accused of excessive force.
The petitioners comprise Jamia students, local residents from Okhla, legal professionals, and the Imam of Jama Masjid near Parliament. One of the pleas sought a directive from the Centre to treat the petition as formal information warranting immediate FIR registration against police personnel allegedly involved in criminal misconduct.
The amendment plea also demanded the arrest and prosecution of the officers concerned. Further, it urged an independent agency to investigate both the FIRs filed against students and their complaints against the police to ensure a fair and impartial process.
