Chandigarh: Retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Nirmal Yadav, who was acquitted by a Chandigarh court Saturday in the 2008 ‘cash at judge’s door’ case, hails from a prominent political family from the Ahirwal region of Haryana. Her father, Rao Abhay Singh, was an MLA, while her brother, Captain Ajay Singh Yadav, served as a minister in Haryana and has been elected as MLA from Rewari five times.
Her nephew, Chiranjeev Rao, is also carrying forward the family’s political legacy, having been an MLA, and is married to the daughter of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav Anushka.
In an exclusive interview with ThePrint after the verdict, Justice Nirmal Yadav expressed her unwavering belief in her innocence and the justice system. “I was very clear from day one—when I had done nothing wrong, why should I worry? I have always had faith in the justice delivery system of our country, and with today’s verdict, that faith has only strengthened.”
Asked if she was relieved, she responded with a counter-question: “Will one not feel relieved when one’s name is finally cleared of a false case?”
She emphasised her family’s long-standing reputation. “I come from a respected family. My father, Rao Abhay Singh, was like a saint and a messiah for the poor. Throughout my judicial career, I have worked with honesty and integrity, always striving to provide justice to those in need. I am happy that finally, the truth has come to light.”
The retired judge further said that she had faced several professional setbacks due to the case. “One cannot even imagine the extent of damage this case caused to my career. People work hard and plan for career growth, dedicating years to advancing in their profession. And then, suddenly, an incident like this happens, and it puts the brakes on everything. The opportunities lost, the aspirations shattered—those cannot be undone.”
Reacting to the special CBI court’s verdict acquitting his sister in the high-profile case after 17 years, Captain Ajay Singh Yadav expressed both relief and sorrow. “Today, my sister’s and our family’s honour has been restored. For the last 16 years, she had to endure immense humiliation, and every time there was any controversy involving the judiciary, her case was unfairly cited as an example. The media trial she faced was relentless and deeply unjust,” he told ThePrint.
Captain Yadav maintained that the case was a well-orchestrated conspiracy that irreparably damaged his sister’s career. “Had this not happened, she would have been the first woman judge from Haryana to be elevated to the Supreme Court. Her entire judicial career, built over decades with dedication and integrity, was completely ruined due to this false case.”
He rued that while the acquittal clears his sister’s name, it does not compensate for the years of struggle she endured. “What she lost in terms of her career can never be restored. The pain and suffering she went through cannot be undone. But today’s verdict reaffirms that justice, though delayed, has finally been served.”
The special CBI court that heard the case stated that the prosecution had failed to substantiate the allegations beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the dismissal of the charges.
The case dates back to 2008 when a dramatic incident unfolded at the residence of Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, then a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A bag containing Rs 15 lakh in cash was mistakenly delivered to her house by a courier, allegedly intended for Justice Nirmal Yadav.
Justice Kaur promptly alerted the authorities, and the case was handed over to the CBI for investigation. The agency alleged that the money was part of an illegal transaction linked to Justice Nirmal Yadav.
Over the years, the case became a focal point in discussions on judicial integrity, with Justice Yadav’s name frequently invoked in debates on corruption in the judiciary.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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