Gandhi on fire: Scandal in India’s judiciary

The image is stark and surreal: heaps of charred 500-rupee notes, bearing the smiling and serene visage of India’s “father of the nation,” Mahatma Gandhi. Where? Shockingly, in the outhouse of the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, a Delhi High Court judge. This revelation, brought to light a few days back by none other than the Supreme Court of India, has sent shockwaves through India’s judicial and political landscape.

One of the participants in this shocking spectacle, in a distinct Haryanvi accent, is heard commenting in the background, “Gandhi is on fire,” meaning that the currency, which bears his visage, has been charred to ashes. But does this stray quip have a deeper meaning?

Indeed, the symbolism is inescapable: Gandhi’s image, now in cinders, mirrors the potential erosion of trust in a judicial system meant to uphold his ideals. For Gandhi has been a symbol of truth, non-violence, and moral rectitude not just in India, but the world over. If there is a question mark looming over the integrity of India’s judiciary, then what is left of our public morality?

But rather than suppressing the scandal, India’s apex court should be lauded for taking the bold step to make it public. It not only released the footage of the burned notes but also Justice Varma’s vehement denial: “At the cost of repetition, I unequivocally state that neither I nor any of my family members had stored or kept any cash or currency in that storeroom at any point of time.” The judge in question, from available accounts, enjoys a good reputation. He himself claims that he has been framed. If so, by whom? For now, pending the outcome of the official investigation, he has been relieved of his duties.

The question that reverberates across the nation is: what is going on?

For the discovery of burned cash in Justice Varma’s outhouse is not merely a personal embarrassment; it strikes at the heart of India’s judiciary, an institution revered as the guardian of justice and equality. It is not as if mountains of unaccountable currency have never been found in India. There have been many such raids and seizures. But the culprits have almost always been politicians or businessmen. Never before has such an incident occurred in the home of a judge, that too a respected justice of the national capital’s high court.

The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, has urged the Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, to order a comprehensive investigation. This is a critical step, for only a thorough and transparent probe can unravel the mystery behind this bizarre occurrence. Was it an act of sabotage, a personal failing, or something more systemic? The people of India demand the truth, clinging to the hope that it will emerge to cleanse this stain on the judiciary.

Truth, as the adage goes, is the best antidote to corruption, just as sunlight is the best disinfectant. The judiciary, often the last port of call and bastion of faith in a democracy plagued by political overreach and bureaucratic inefficiency, cannot afford to be tainted by suspicion. The Supreme Court, by releasing the footage, has preempted rumours and misinformation that could further erode public faith. This transparency is a bold assertion of accountability, signalling that no one — not even a High Court judge — is above scrutiny. Justice Varma’s profession of innocence, while emphatic, cannot stand alone; it must be tested against evidence and facts. The burned notes, after all, are not a figment of imagination but a tangible reality captured on camera.

The implications of this scandal extend beyond the immediate shock. India’s judiciary has long been seen as the final independent pillar of governance, a counterweight to the excesses of the executive and legislative branches. Yet, this independence is fragile. If the stain of this incident is not addressed decisively, it risks emboldening the political class to meddle further in judicial affairs.

The appointment of judges, already a contentious issue marked by debates over the collegium system versus governmental influence, could become even more politicised. A judiciary perceived as compromised invites interference, undermining its ability to check power and protect rights. The burned cash in Justice Varma’s outhouse, then, is not just a pile of ruined currency — it is a potential torch to the edifice of judicial autonomy.

Gandhi believed in satyagraha, the power of truth and resistance to injustice. The Supreme Court’s proactive disclosure aligns with this principle, refusing to let the matter fester in secrecy. Yet, the irony is palpable: Gandhi, the apostle of peace, now gazes from the ashes of a scandal that threatens the very institutions he inspired India to build.

The 500-rupee note, a symbol of economic value, has become a symbol of something darker — greed, deceit, or perhaps a desperate attempt to conceal. The investigation must answer not only who burned the money but why. Was it an attempt to destroy evidence of corruption? A misguided act of panic? Each possibility carries profound consequences.

The public’s role in this unfolding drama cannot be understated. India’s citizens, long accustomed to political scandals, now turn their scrutiny toward the judiciary — a rare and unsettling shift. Social media platforms like X are abuzz with speculation, ranging from conspiracy theories to calls for reform.

This heightened attention, even if short-lived, is both a burden and an opportunity. It pressures both the judiciary and the government to act with the highest standards of probity, while also reminding us that democracy thrives when “we the people” demand accountability. The Supreme Court’s proactive intervention has, if nothing else, preempted the political class from exploiting the situation under a veil of silence.

In the end, the heaps of burned cash in Justice Varma’s outhouse are more than a sensational headline — they are a test. A test of the judiciary’s resilience, of its commitment to truth, and of India’s ability to safeguard its democratic pillars. Gandhi’s face on those notes may have been consumed by fire, but his ideals need not be. The investigation, if conducted with rigor and impartiality, can restore faith.

The alternative — a cover-up or inconclusive outcome — would only deepen the wound. For now, the Supreme Court has done right by acting swiftly. The rest lies in the hands of India’s investigative apparatus and the justice system itself, which must prove that it can rise from the ashes of this scandal, stronger and untainted.

Truth alone triumphs — Satyameva Jayate — is India’s national motto. Now, truth alone can douse the flames that threaten India’s judicial soul. And the sooner it comes out the better. Not only for Justice Varma or the judiciary, but for India’s national soul.