On Monday, May 19, 2025, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai informed advocate Mathews Nedumpara that his petition seeking the registration of an FIR against Justice Yashwant Varma would be listed for hearing once the procedural defects in the plea are corrected. Justice Varma, a High Court judge, had been linked to an incident in March when partially burnt currency was discovered at his official residence following a fire.

During an oral mention before the bench, Nedumpara, appearing as petitioner-in-person, requested an urgent hearing within a day or two. Chief Justice Gavai responded, “We will list it for hearing, provided you clear the defects.”

The petition alleges that the large quantities of burnt and partially burnt currency—some of which were allegedly removed secretly—constitute evidence of bribery and corruption, offenses punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act. It further points out that no FIR has been filed and criminal proceedings have not commenced, with no official justification provided for the inaction.

According to the plea, standard criminal procedure such as the seizure of evidence, securing the scene, and arresting suspects should have been initiated. The petition also refers to former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s decision to forward the final report of the inquiry committee on the matter to the President and Prime Minister, after Justice Varma declined to resign or retire voluntarily.

Nedumpara cited the Constitution Bench ruling in K. Veeraswami v. Union of India, which mandates prior consultation with the Chief Justice of India before initiating a criminal case against a sitting constitutional court judge.