New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on September 21 refused to entertain a petition seeking registration of an FIR and an SIT or CBI probe into the alleged recovery of a large amount of cash from the residence of former judge Yashwant Varma, calling the plea a “wild witch hunt”.

Justice Amit Bansal dismissed the petition filed by advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay, questioning the petitioner’s locus and observing that legal remedies were available under existing procedures. The court said it was not inclined to entertain the plea seeking a court-monitored investigation.

During the hearing, Upadhyay argued that the matter was extraordinary and required intervention, claiming that a lower court would not be able to address the issue effectively. However, after the court indicated that it would dismiss the petition, the lawyer withdrew it with liberty to pursue other available legal remedies.

The controversy relates to an incident on March 14, 2025, when a fire broke out at Varma’s official residence in Lutyens’ Delhi while he was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court. The incident reportedly led to the discovery of cash at the premises, following which the matter drew significant attention.

Varma was later transferred to the Allahabad High Court and resigned from office on April 9, 2026, while facing impeachment proceedings. Earlier, he had approached the Supreme Court in connection with the matter, but his plea was dismissed in August.

The latest order highlights the court’s approach towards petitions seeking criminal investigations without following established legal procedures. The High Court, however, did not prevent the petitioner from pursuing remedies available under law.