Justice Yashwant Varma’s transfer to his parent Allahabad High Court has been officially approved by the government in connection with the ongoing cash haul case. He has been directed to assume his position and take charge at the High Court in Uttar Pradesh. However, in a significant move, the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court has been instructed not to assign him any judicial work at this time. This decision comes after the government reviewed Justice Varma’s case, following growing concerns over his role in the controversy, and took swift action in line with the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation. The matter has drawn national attention, raising questions about judicial integrity and the handling of corruption allegations within the judiciary.
In addition to Justice Varma’s transfer, the Centre has also approved the long-pending repatriation of another Delhi High Court judge, Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, to the Allahabad High Court. His transfer had been recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium in November 2024 but had been awaiting government approval for several months. The Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna and comprising Justices BR Gavai and Suryakant, had deemed it necessary for Justice Singh to return to his parent court. Both Justice Chandra Dhari Singh and Justice Yashwant Varma were originally transferred from the Allahabad High Court to the Delhi High Court in October 2021 as part of a routine judicial reshuffle.
Justice Varma’s transfer comes in the wake of a massive controversy surrounding a fire incident at his residence last week, during which a large sum of unaccounted cash was reportedly discovered. The shocking nature of the recovery sent tremors through legal and political circles, prompting the Supreme Court Collegium to immediately recommend his repatriation to the Allahabad High Court. In response, the Delhi High Court registry promptly withdrew all judicial work assigned to Justice Varma, further solidifying the severity of the allegations against him. The development has raised concerns about corruption within the higher judiciary and the mechanisms in place to ensure accountability.
However, the decision to transfer Justice Varma has not been well received by the Allahabad Bar Association, which launched an indefinite strike in protest. The association strongly opposed his posting at the Allahabad High Court, stating that it would not tolerate judges who are facing serious corruption allegations. Their protest has garnered widespread support from other Bar associations across the country, who have echoed similar concerns and urged Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna to reconsider the Collegium’s recommendation. Legal professionals have warned that if their demands are unmet, bar associations across India's high courts will organize nationwide sit-in protests, escalating the issue further.
Amidst the growing unrest, the Chief Justice of India has constituted a three-member panel to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the incident. The panel is expected to examine the circumstances under which the cash was discovered, the possible legal ramifications, and any misconduct on the part of Justice Varma. The investigation has become a critical test for judicial accountability in the country, as it could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
Meanwhile, Justice Varma has strongly denied all allegations against him, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated. He has claimed that he is being unfairly targeted and "defamed in the press" without any substantial evidence being presented against him. His defense has raised questions about whether due process is being followed in his case or if the controversy is being fueled by external pressures. The coming weeks are likely to witness further developments as the investigation unfolds and the judiciary grapples with the implications of this high-profile controversy.
