Allahabad HC Bar Association Announces Strike Protesting Supreme Court's Decision to Repatriate Justice Varma

Prayagraj: Allahabad High Court Bar Association has announced a strike on Monday over Supreme Court’s decision to repatriate Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma back to his parent Allahabad High Court.

Allahabad High Court Bar Association will go on indefinite strike starting tomorrow to protest the apex court's decision. The bar association had last week said that Allahabad High Court is not a “trash bin” amid allegations of cash discovery at the residence of Justice Varma. 

Allahabad HC Bar Association Goes on Indefinite Strike

Before SC's decision to transfer Justice Varma, Allahabad High Court Bar Association had requested the apex court that Delhi HC Judge should remain under “close watch of the Supreme Court” till the proceedings are completed. 

Anil Tiwari, President of Allahabad High Court Bar Association said the bar body has requested the Chief Justice of India to permit the CBI and ED to lodge an FIR and proceed with a formal investigation. 

"We have also raised an issue of Uncle Judge syndrome...The concept is that the family members of those judges who are practising in a particular court should not remain in that court. They should go outside to infuse the public confidence and to ensure transparency..." he said. 

Allahabad HC Bar Association on Cash-At-Home Row | WATCH 

In a series of resolutions, the association urged the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to permit investigating agencies to take action against Justice Varma and called for impeachment proceedings against the judge. Additionally, the lawyers refrained from judicial work after the lunch break.

The association also demanded a review of the judgments delivered by the judge.

"All the judgements delivered by Justice Yashwant Varma during his tenure of a judge at Allahabad High Court and Delhi High Court be reviewed in order to inspire confidence of people at large to regain public faith in the judicial system," he said.  

Cash Found at Delhi HC Judge's Residence? 

The discovery of the alleged cash came after a fire broke out at Varma's Lutyens Delhi residence around 11:35 pm on March 14, prompting fire officials to quickly respond and extinguish the flames.

(Burnt currency notes seen near the residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma/Image-ANI)

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna formed a three-member panel to investigate the discovery of "four to five semi-burnt sacks" of Indian currency notes following the fire incident. This came after an inquiry report was submitted by Justice D K Upadhyaya, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.