Justice Nirmal Yadav (Retd.) File Photo.
CBI Challenges Justice Nirmal Yadav’s Acquittal in Corruption Case, Moves Punjab and Haryana High Court: Chandigarh, September 9, 2025 — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the acquittal of former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, Justice Nirmal Yadav, in a high-profile corruption case. The case, which dates back to 2008, had been dismissed by a Chandigarh trial court earlier this year, citing allegations of fabricated evidence by the CBI.
A Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul and Justice HS Grewal, issued notice to Justice Yadav and three other accused, setting a date for hearing on December 15. The CBI, represented by Special Public Prosecutor Akashdeep Singh, has argued that the trial court’s verdict is perverse and should be reconsidered.
The Case Background
The case against Justice Yadav began in August 2008, when a bag containing ₹15 lakh was mistakenly delivered to the residence of Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, another sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The money was allegedly meant for Justice Yadav, as the two judges had similar names. Justice Kaur’s peon reported the incident to the Chandigarh Police, triggering an investigation. Initially, the police handled the matter before the case was transferred to the CBI.
In 2011, the CBI filed a charge sheet, accusing Justice Yadav of receiving bribes in exchange for a judgment she had delivered in a property dispute involving Raj Kumar Jain, a former Additional District Judge. The prosecution argued that the ₹15 lakh was a bribe linked to a case where Justice Yadav had ruled unfavorably for Jain, who allegedly sought retribution by offering the money.
The CBI’s key witness in the case, R.K. Jain, who was the respondent in the property case, claimed that the money was given to Justice Yadav for the judgment. However, the trial court found discrepancies in Jain’s testimony, questioning his credibility and the validity of the CBI’s evidence.
Chandigarh Court’s Judgment
In a judgment delivered in March 2025, Special Judge Alka Malik acquitted all the accused, including Justice Yadav, citing a lack of credible evidence. The court found that the CBI had fabricated evidence, particularly the testimony of witness R.K. Jain, which was described as “unworthy of trust.” The judge noted that Jain’s statements were inconsistent, filled with assumptions, and lacked concrete proof.
The court was critical of the CBI’s handling of the case, stating: “It would have been highly appreciable on the part of a premier investigating agency like the CBI to stick to its initial stance of filing a closure report, rather than fabricating a highly unworthy of trust evidence.” It also pointed out that Jain had failed to substantiate his claim of being under pressure from Justice Yadav, calling it a baseless allegation.
The trial court further questioned the CBI’s story about the timing of the money transfer, noting that the payment occurred more than five months after the judgment in question, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the prosecution’s narrative.
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Punjab & Haryana High Court.
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CBI’s Appeal in the High Court
In its appeal, the CBI has challenged the trial court’s ruling, describing it as “perverse.” The agency argues that the trial court had disregarded key circumstantial evidence and failed to adequately consider the testimony of 78 witnesses, focusing instead on a limited number of witnesses. The CBI also claims that the trial court’s decision to acquit the accused was based on speculative reasoning, without proper appreciation of the entire evidentiary landscape.
The agency argues that the trial court should have considered the broader context of the case, rather than dismissing crucial evidence that could have implicated Justice Yadav and others involved in the alleged graft.
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The Road Ahead
The Punjab and Haryana High Court is set to hear the CBI’s appeal in December, which will determine whether the trial court’s acquittal will stand or whether the case will be re-opened for further examination.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the involvement of a former high-ranking judicial officer and the serious allegations of corruption against her. The outcome of the High Court appeal could have far-reaching implications, both for the legal community and the credibility of the CBI’s investigative processes.
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Key Takeaways of the Justice Nirmal Yadav’s Case
As the CBI seeks to overturn the trial court’s acquittal of Justice Nirmal Yadav, the focus will now shift to the High Court’s assessment of the evidence presented in the case. The CBI’s appeal highlights ongoing concerns about the adequacy of the evidence in the case and the potential flaws in the trial court’s reasoning. Legal experts and the public alike will be closely monitoring the proceedings in December to see whether the acquittal stands or if the case takes a new turn.
Key Legal Representatives:
CBI: Special Public Prosecutor Akashdeep Singh
Justice Nirmal Yadav and Others: Defence Counsel
The legal battle continues, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court expected to weigh in on the critical questions of judicial accountability, corruption, and the integrity of the investigative process.
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