Chandigarh, March 30, 2025 – A Special CBI Court in Chandigarh has acquitted Justice Nirmal Yadav, former judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, in a case pertaining to the alleged receipt of ₹15 lakh cash while serving as a judge in 2008. The verdict was pronounced by Special CBI Judge Alka Malik.
Case Background
The case originated in 2008 when a peon from the court of Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, then a sitting judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, filed a complaint stating that a bag containing ₹15 lakh in cash was mistakenly delivered to her chamber. Upon directions from the judge, the individual who brought the cash was apprehended.
The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to the CBI’s case, the cash was allegedly intended to be delivered to Justice Nirmal Yadav’s residence.
In January 2009, the CBI sought sanction to prosecute Justice Yadav, which was granted by the Punjab & Haryana High Court in November 2010. The approval was later confirmed by the President of India in March 2011, following which the CBI filed a chargesheet.
Judicial Proceedings
Following the approval of prosecution, Justice Yadav was transferred to the Uttarakhand High Court in February 2010 and subsequently retired in March 2011. She filed petitions before the Punjab & Haryana High Court seeking to quash the proceedings, but her request was denied. She then approached the Supreme Court, challenging the trial proceedings on the ground of lack of evidence.
In 2014, the Supreme Court dismissed her plea for a stay on proceedings, noting that multiple petitions had been filed before various courts, thereby delaying the trial. The Special CBI Court framed charges under Section 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Justice Yadav, and charges under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against four other accused persons.
Trial and Verdict
The prosecution listed 84 witnesses, of whom 69 were examined during the trial. In February 2025, the Punjab & Haryana High Court permitted the CBI to re-examine 10 witnesses, directing the trial court to ensure expeditious proceedings.
The Special CBI Court reserved its verdict on March 27, 2025, and pronounced its judgment on March 30, 2025, acquitting Justice Nirmal Yadav of all charges.
Representation
Justice Nirmal Yadav was represented by Advocates S.K. Garg Narwana and V.G. Narwana in the proceedings.
