“Allahabad High Court Is Not a Trash Bin”: Bar Association Protests Transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma After ₹15 Crore Cash Recovery, Warns of Sine Die Strike
Kiran Raj
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has opposed the Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court back to the Allahabad High Court following reports of unaccounted cash being recovered from his residence.
The Bar Association, in a press release, expressed shock over the transfer recommendation. The press note mentioned that ₹15 crore cash was recovered from Justice Varma’s residence. Several media reports indicated that the cash was found after a fire brigade was dispatched to extinguish a fire at the judge’s official residence in Delhi. Following this, reports stated that the Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Varma’s repatriation to his parent High Court, the Allahabad High Court. The Supreme Court has also initiated an in-house inquiry into the matter and sought a response from the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
The Bar Association President, Anil Tiwari, stated, "Allahabad High Court is not a trash bin that anything can be thrown here." He added, "We will not accept corrupt people. We will close the court work if needed. This is a press release for general body meeting and then we will take action. We will go sine die if needed."
In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice and all the Judges of the Allahabad High Court, the Bar Association stated that it was "taken aback" by the Collegium's decision. The letter questioned, "This decision of the Collegium of the Supreme Court raises a serious question as to whether the Allahabad High Court is a trash bin?"
The Association further stated, "This matter becomes important when we examine the current situation wherein the Allahabad High Court is short of Hon'ble judges and despite the continuous problems, new judges have not been appointed since last many years." The letter and the press release both pointed out that the Allahabad High Court is already facing a shortage of judges, leading to delays in hearing fresh cases and affecting public confidence. The Association stated that the situation is "diminishing the faith of the public in the rule of law."
The Association also recorded concerns that, "while appointing judges by elevating members of the Bar, the Bar was never consulted." It further stated, "Consideration of eligibility appears to be not up to the mark. Something is lacking which has resulted in corruption and consequently, a great damage has been caused to the 'public faith in judiciary.'"
The Bar Association also noted that the apex court itself is aware of the situation, referring to remarks attributed to the Supreme Court which stated, "something is rotten in the Allahabad High Court." The Association stated that despite such observations, the decision to transfer Justice Varma has raised further concerns about the treatment of the Allahabad High Court.
The Bar Association also expressed suspicion of a conspiracy aimed at dividing the Allahabad High Court. It stated that "a conspiracy behind all these factors is to divide the Allahabad High Court into parts," though further details were not provided in the communication.
In response to the developments, the Association has called for an emergent General House meeting scheduled for Monday, March 24 at 1:15 PM in the Library Hall of the Association to decide on the next steps.
The Bar Association stated that it will continue to stand against corruption and affirmed its commitment to preserving public trust, while making clear that the Allahabad High Court "is not a dumping ground."
The Association’s objection comes amid the ongoing in-house inquiry against Justice Varma initiated by the Supreme Court and the pending response from the Delhi High Court Chief Justice.
[Read Press Release]
