A special CBI court in Chandigarh on Friday acquitted former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, Justice (Retd.) Nirmal Yadav, along with all other accused in the 2008 Cash-at-Judge’s-Door case. The verdict comes after a prolonged 17-year legal battle. Justice Yadav, along with co-accused Rajiv Gupta and Sanjeev Bansal, was cleared of all charges in the high-profile case, which revolved around a bag containing Rs 15 lakh being mistakenly delivered to a judge's residence in 2008.
Defence counsels blame CBI for delays
Speaking on the verdict, Advocate B S Riar, who represented Rajiv Gupta and Sanjeev Bansal, said: "Yes, it took 17 years for this judgment, but that was not the fault of the defense counsel. The delay was on the part of the CBI, as they kept seeking permissions from the High Court and bringing in different witnesses at different times. The important thing is that justice has finally been served. We are relieved that, even though it was delayed, the right decision was made in the end."
Case background
The case, which caused a major judicial controversy, was based on the alleged delivery of unaccounted cash to the residence of Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, who reported the matter. Investigations later implicated Justice Nirmal Yadav, leading to a lengthy trial.
With the verdict now in, the acquittal marks the closure of one of the longest-running judicial corruption cases in India.