Lawyers at the Allahabad High Court have declared an indefinite strike in response to the Supreme Court Collegium’s decision to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma back to the Allahabad bench. The decision has sparked significant unrest among the legal community, particularly following recent controversies surrounding Justice Varma.
Justice Varma, who previously served at the Allahabad High Court before his transfer to Delhi in 2021, has been the subject of headlines after a report emerged about burnt cash found at his Delhi residence during Holi. The lawyers argue that transferring Justice Varma back under these circumstances undermines the integrity of their court.
Anil Tiwari, President of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, emphasized the collective sentiment of the legal community: “We cannot allow our court to be perceived as a refuge for judges facing allegations of misconduct. This strike is to assert that our judiciary remains a place of unimpeachable integrity and not a dumping ground for unresolved controversies.”
The lawyers’ strike aims to pressure the judiciary to reconsider the transfer and maintain the sanctity of the Allahabad High Court as proceedings and investigations into the incident at Justice Varma’s residence continue. The Bar Association is also calling for a thorough review of all judgments previously passed by Justice Varma and has requested oversight by national investigative agencies to ensure transparency and restore public confidence.
