Read Time: 06 minutes

Synopsis

The High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Allahabad, has strongly objected to the Supreme Court’s decision to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma back to the Allahabad High Court following allegations of corruption. Expressing outrage, the Bar Association released a statement questioning whether the Allahabad High Court was being treated as a “trash bin” for tainted judges.

The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that Rs. 15 crores in unaccounted cash was found at Justice Varma’s residential bungalow following a fire incident. According to newspaper reports, a fire broke out at his residence, prompting his family to call the fire department and police. During the firefighting efforts, authorities reportedly discovered a substantial amount of cash inside a room, leading to the registration of official entries regarding the recovery.

Following these revelations, the Supreme Court Collegium acted swiftly, deciding unanimously to repatriate Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court. Justice Varma had been elevated as a judge in the Allahabad High Court before being transferred to the Delhi High Court in October 2021. His return, in the wake of corruption allegations, has triggered sharp reactions from the Allahabad Bar Association.

In its official statement, the Bar Association questioned the rationale behind the decision, highlighting the ongoing crisis of judicial vacancies at the Allahabad High Court. “Despite the continuous problems, new judges have not appointed since last many years. It is also of grave concern that while appointing judges by elevating members of the Bar, the Bar was never consulted. Consideration of eligibility appears to be not upto 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 statement read.

The Association further referenced past remarks by the Supreme Court, including its critical observations that “something is rotten in the Allahabad High Court.”

The Bar Association emphasized that while the judiciary is already grappling with challenges such as delays in fresh case hearings due to a shortage of judges, it would not tolerate corruption within its ranks. “We are not ready to accept corruption.,” it asserted.

Adding to the growing dissent, the Bar Association suggested that there might be a larger conspiracy at play, aiming to divide the Allahabad High Court.

"Bar Association feels that a conspiracy behind all these factors to divide the Allahabad High Court in parts, for which, we will resolve against the end. The concern of Bar Association is only to maintain the faith and confidence of public in judiciary," it stated.

The Association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the judiciary and announced an emergency General House meeting to discuss the matter. The meeting is scheduled to take place on March 24, 2025, at 1:15 PM in the Library Hall of the Association, where members will deliberate on further steps.