Shreya Gupta
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has strongly opposed the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation to transfer Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, back to the Allahabad High Court following the discovery of unaccounted cash at his residence.
The Bar Association, in a press release, expressed shock at this decision, questioning the rationale behind transferring a Judge accused of corruption. Anil Tiwari, the President of the Bar Association, made a strong statement, declaring, “Allahabad High Court kude ka dibba nahi hai jo yahan bhej diya gaya hai” (Allahabad High Court is not a trash bin that he has been sent here). He further asserted that corrupt individuals would not be accepted in the Court, and if necessary, the lawyers would shut down work in protest. A general body meeting has been scheduled for March 24 to decide on further action, including the possibility of going sine die (an indefinite strike).
The controversy erupted when ₹15 crore ofcash was reportedly found at Justice Varma’s residence. According to media reports, this massive amount was inadvertently discovered when a fire brigade arrived at his house to extinguish a fire. Following this incident, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended that Justice Varma be repatriated to his parent High Court—Allahabad High Court.
The Supreme Court has initiated an in-house inquiry against Justice Varma. Additionally, it has sought a response from the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court regarding the matter. However, the Bar Association questioned the Collegium’s decision, interpreting it as an implication that the Allahabad High Court was being treated as a “dumping ground.“
The Bar Association expressed concerns over the Allahabad High Court’s shortage of Judges, which has not been adequately addressed despite ongoing issues. It pointed out that judicial appointments from the Bar have not involved consultation with the legal community, leading to concerns over eligibility criteria and transparency in selections. The press note suggested that lapses in this process have resulted in corruption and a decline in public faith in the judiciary.
The lawyers further highlighted that even the Supreme Court had previously commented on the poor state of the Allahabad High Court, once stating that “something is rotten in the Allahabad High Court.”
The Bar Association reaffirmed that the Allahabad High Court is not a dumping ground for questionable Judges. It stressed the importance of maintaining public trust in the judiciary and raised concerns over a possible conspiracy to divide the court.
In response to these developments, an emergent General House meeting has been scheduled for March 24 at 1:15 PM in the Library Hall of the Association. The legal fraternity is expected to take a firm stand on the issue during this meeting.
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