The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has strongly opposed the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court, branding it the "blackest day in the Indian judicial system."
Bar Association president Anil Tiwari voiced the association’s discontent over the transfer, reiterating concerns over allegations linked to Justice Varma. "March 28 (2025) is the blackest day in the Indian judicial system. A man who is facing charges of corruption is going to take oath in Allahabad High Court," he said.
Justice Varma's transfer comes in the wake of a controversy involving the discovery of unaccounted cash at his Delhi residence following a fire incident on 14 March.
Denying any involvement, Justice Varma had asserted that neither he nor his family members had placed the cash in the storeroom.
Justice Varma was sworn in at the Allahabad High Court on Friday, though his induction was met with resistance. The Bar Association announced a boycott of the ceremony, questioning his ability to uphold judicial integrity.
"Today, a common man is asking this question about the person who couldn't live up to his oath in Delhi, will he do so here in Allahabad?... What will happen to public faith? We boycott this oath, and we will not be a part of that. We all are doing this for common litigants. We will now be opening up the affidavit centre so that the litigants don’t have to face any issues," Tiwari added.
Also read: Govt approves Justice Varma’s transfer to Allahabad HC
The Bar Association, maintaining its stance against the transfer, has convened a meeting at 4 PM today with senior advocates and former office-bearers to discuss the future course of action. As a part of their protest, the association has also decided to close down the affidavit centre.
Expressing appreciation for the judiciary's intervention, Tiwari thanked the Chief Justice of India for ensuring that Justice Varma would not be assigned any cases for the time being.
"I thank the CJI and the collegium members that they have withdrawn his (Justice Yashwant Varma) judicial power," he said.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma upon his assumption of office.
Meanwhile, members of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association remain steadfast in their indefinite strike, voicing their strong opposition to the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation for the transfer.
On Friday, the Union government formally notified Justice Varma’s transfer from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court, further intensifying the ongoing agitation within the legal fraternity.
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