The government on Friday officially notified the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court. The transfer order comes amid ongoing controversy over the alleged discovery of a substantial amount of cash at his official residence in Delhi.
The Law Ministry issued the notification confirming the judge’s transfer. Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended this move, emphasizing that the transfer was distinct from the in-house inquiry initiated by the top court regarding the cash recovery allegations.
According to the Supreme Court resolution, “The Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings held on March 20 and 24, 2025, has recommended the repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge, High Court of Delhi, to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad.” This came a day after the Supreme Court revealed that Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya had initiated an in-house inquiry into the allegations.
The cash recovery allegations surfaced following a fire incident at Justice Varma’s Lutyens’ Delhi residence at around 11:35 pm on March 14. In response, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with the Delhi High Court, issued several directives, including the withdrawal of judicial duties from Justice Varma.
Justice Varma denies allegations
Justice Varma has firmly denied the allegations, stating unequivocally that neither he nor his family members placed any cash in the storeroom of his residence. He described the allegations as a conspiracy aimed at framing and maligning him.
“The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous,” he asserted, denouncing the claims as baseless and defamatory.