The Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) has taken a firm stand against the proposed transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court back to the Allahabad High Court, following the discovery of a significant amount of unaccounted cash at his residence. This decision by the Supreme Court Collegium has sparked outrage among legal professionals in Allahabad, with the HCBA describing the court as “not a trash bin.”
Background of the Controversy
Just Now, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Varma’s transfer amidst allegations that ₹15 crore in unaccounted cash was found at his home during a fire incident on March 14, when he was away. The Collegium’s resolution did not clarify the reasons for this transfer, leading to widespread speculation and concern within the legal community regarding its implications. The Supreme Court has since clarified that the transfer is separate from an ongoing in-house inquiry into the cash allegations.
HCBA’s Strong Opposition
In a tv interview given shortly after the announcement, HCBA President Anil Tiwari expressed deep disapproval of Justice Varma’s transfer, stating that it will be opposed tooth and nail by the bar association. The association emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and highlighted that the Allahabad High Court is currently facing a severe shortage of judges, which further complicates matter.
Earlier Tiwari articulated that while the court grapples with numerous challenges, including delayed case hearings due to insufficient judges, it should not be seen as a repository for controversial judicial appointments. He stated, “If ₹15 lakh is recovered from an official, he is sent to jail; but when ₹15 crore is recovered from a judge’s house, he is being sent back to his parent court”.
