Allahabad HCBA Passes Resolution To Impeach Justice Yashwant Varma; Transfer Unacceptable

Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court Bar Association on Monday passed resolution to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma, who is under scrutiny over a cash scandal, and requested the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sanjiv Khanna, not to transfer the accused judge to Allahabad.

Allahabad Bar Association President Anil Tiwari stated that they have passed multiple resolutions against Justice Yashwant Varma. These resolutions demand that the CJI must refrain from transferring him to the Allahabad High Court, review his past judgments, seek CBI and police intervention, and moving judges whose family members are already practicing in the Allahabad High Court. The Association further said that in-house inquiry against Justice Varma is 'Questionable' and 'Unacceptable' to the judicial fraternity. 

Resolutions Passed by the Allahabad Bar Association:

• The Allahabad Bar Association has requested the Chief Justice of India (CJI) not to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court or any other court.
• Justice Yashwant Varma should remain in Delhi under the close scrutiny of the Supreme Court.
• The Bar Association has demanded a review of Justice Varma's past judgments.
• The association has called for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and police intervention in the case, including the registration of an FIR and the initiation of an official complaint.
• The Allahabad Bar Association has launched a "corruption-free nation" movement and urged all advocates to join the cause.
• The Bar Association has highlighted the issue of "Uncle Judge Syndrome," requesting the CJI to implement policies to address this and move judges whose family members are practicing in the Allahabad High Court.

The Allahabad High Court Bar Association began its protest against Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma after a huge stacks of cash were discovered at his residence on March 14, during the Holi weekend. The cash was found following a fire incident at his residence, although the judge and his wife were reportedly in Bhopal at the time.

The Supreme Court Collegium initially transferred the judge to his parent Allahabad High Court, which objected to the move, stating they were “not a trash bin.”

Amid nationwide outrage over Justice Yashwant Varma's cash scandal, the Supreme Court clarified that his transfer was unrelated to the alleged cash recovery from his house. Subsequently, a three-member committee was established to investigate the allegations.

On late Saturday night, the Supreme Court published a report on its website, prepared by Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, regarding Justice Varma's alleged cash scandal. The 25-page report included documents, photos, and videos of the fire that erupted on March 14, showing sacks of cash being burned. The report further intensified concerns about corruption in the judiciary.

On Monday, the three-member committee set up by the CJI announced that they would seek assistance from the forensic department to investigate Justice Yashwant Varma's case.