At War With Collegium Over Justice Varma's Transfer, Allahabad HC Bar Association to Take to Streets: What Are Their Demands

New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court Bar Association on Monday announced that it will go on an indefinite strike to protest the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma, who is under inquiry in what is being touted as Indian judiciary's biggest cash scandal, to Allahabad. The High Court has objected to the Supreme Court Collegium's decision to transfer the judge involved in the Delhi cash scandal to Allahabad, stating that they are “not a dumping ground.” Despite their request to the Collegium not to transfer the accused judge to Allahabad or any other court, the SC Collegium once again recommended the repatriation of Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court, prompting the announcement of the indefinite strike.

Demands of Allahabad HC Bar Association amid Justice Yashwant Varma's case

On Monday, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association passed a resolution to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma and opposed his transfer to the court. After passing the resolution, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association President, Anil Tiwari, outlined their demands from the Supreme Court regarding Justice Yashwant Varma's alleged cash scandal case:

• CJI Sanjiv Khanna has been requested not to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court or any other court, emphasising that no court is a "dumping ground."
• Justice Varma should remain in Delhi under the close watch of the Supreme Court until the completion of the proceedings.
• All judgments delivered by Justice Varma during his tenure as a judge should be reviewed and scrutinised to restore public confidence.
• The CJI has been urged to permit the CBI and ED to lodge an FIR and proceed with a formal investigation.
• The Allahabad HC Bar Association has raised concerns about the "Uncle Judge Syndrome" and demanded that judges whose family members practice in a particular court should not remain in that court. They should be transferred to ensure transparency and restore public confidence.

What is Justice Yashwant Varma's alleged cash scandal

Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma came under scrutiny after large sacks of unaccounted cash were allegedly recovered from his Delhi residence following a fire incident. Reportedly, Justice Varma and his wife were not in town at the time of the incident, as they were in Bhopal. The fire occurred on March 14, during the Holi weekend. After the matter was reported to higher judicial authorities, the Supreme Court recommended Justice Varma's transfer to his parent Allahabad High Court.

The Allahabad High Court strongly objected to the move, stating that they were "not a trash bin." This sentiment was echoed by top legal experts and members of the judicial fraternity, who questioned the Collegium's decision to transfer the judge, arguing that the matter was far more serious and that the judge should have been asked to resign or face impeachment.

Supreme Court clarifies Justice Varma's transfer 

In response to nationwide criticism, the Supreme Court clarified that Justice Varma's transfer was unrelated to the cash recovery incident. Subsequently, the Supreme Court constituted a three-member committee to investigate the allegations against the judge in the alleged cash scandal.

SC releases Delhi HC Chief Justice report on Justice Yashwant Varma's case 

On late Saturday night, amid nationwide outrage over alleged corruption in the Indian judiciary, the Supreme Court released a report by Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya on Justice Yashwant Varma's cash scandal. The 25-page report, uploaded on the SC's website, included documents, videos, and photos showing sacks of burned cash at the outhouse of Justice Varma's Delhi residence. This development further intensified the issue and raised serious questions about corruption in the judiciary.

As the investigation continues, the CJI has instructed the Delhi High Court Chief Justice not to assign any new judicial work to the accused judge, amid growing demands from across the nation and the judicial fraternity for strict action against Justice Yashwant Varma.