Lawyers in Allahabad have announced an indefinite strike beginning March 25th, protesting the proposed transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court and demanding a thorough investigation into allegations of a large cash discovery at his residence.
Demand to review judgements
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has intensified its opposition to Justice Varma’s repatriation, calling for a comprehensive review of all judgments he delivered during his tenures at both the Allahabad and Delhi High Courts. The bar body aims to restore public confidence in the judiciary.
“The High Court Bar Association opposes any proposed transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma to Allahabad High Court or its Lucknow bench or to any other High Court,” stated bar body president Anil Tiwari, addressing the media. He emphasised the association’s demand for the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma.
The association’s resolutions, released on Monday, also called for the Supreme Court to oversee the review of Justice Varma’s past judgments. “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,” the resolution stated.
Alleged discovery of cash
The controversy surrounding Justice Varma stems from the alleged discovery of a substantial amount of cash following a fire at his Delhi residence on March 14th. Subsequently, the Supreme Court collegium, headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, recommended his transfer, and the Delhi High Court withdrew his judicial responsibilities.
The bar body further demanded that the CJI permit the filing of an FIR and investigations by the CBI, ED, and other investigative agencies. They also called on the President of India and the central government to streamline the impeachment process by including civil society members.
The association had previously voiced strong opposition to Justice Varma’s transfer, questioning whether the Allahabad High Court was being treated as a “trash bin.” They alleged that the “unaccounted money” discovered at his residence amounted to Rs 15 crore.
(With PTI Inputs)