India, March 21 -- The allegation of a massive cash haul being recovered at the residence of sitting Delhi high court judge, justice Yashwant Varma, has cast a shadow on the most important asset of the judiciary - its public reputation of unimpeachable integrity.

Reports suggest the matter came to light after a fire broke out at justice Varma's official residence in Delhi on the night of March 14, at a time when the judge and his wife were out of town. After the fire was contained, first responders found bundles of cash, which led to official documentation of the discovery. Senior police officials were informed, and the matter was soon escalated to the highest levels of the judiciary and government. The incident and allegations sent shoc...