Allahabad High Court faces intense criticism from its Bar Association following controversial transfer of Justice Yashwant Verma. Allegations of corruption and severe judicial backlog highlight urgent need for reform.
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UTTAR PRADESH: The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) in Allahabad today expressed deep dissatisfaction over recent events involving the Supreme Court’s transfer decision regarding Justice Yashwant Verma.
The Association strongly stated,
“WE ARE NOT THRASH BIN.”
This reaction followed news that Justice Verma was transferred back to the Allahabad High Court because he was allegedly involved in a controversy surrounding the recovery of Rs. 15 crores from his bungalow after a fire incident.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, HCBA mentioned,
“The story is that a fire broke out in the residential bungalow of Hon’ble Justice Yashwant Verma and the family members called the fire brigade and the police. After the fire was doused, the police found a huge amount of cash inside a room, leading to official enquiries being made about the recovery of unaccounted money amounting to Rs. 15 crores.”
They emphasized that the Supreme Court collegium’s action to transfer Justice Verma back to Allahabad reflects poorly on the Allahabad High Court. HCBA argued,
“Hon’ble Supreme Court has taken cognizance of this matter immediately, and the collegium resolved itself to repatriate Hon’ble Justice Yashwant Verma to Allahabad High Court.”
Vikrant Pandey, Secretary, Allahabad High Court Bar Association said:
“There has been a charge on Yashwant Varma. A huge amount of cash has been recovered from his residence; this is what we got to know from the media. The Bar will not accept him here at any cost. We have called a general house on 24th March at 1 PM to where we will speak with the remaining advocates of Allahabad High Court, and we are going to strongly protest against this…”
Anil Tiwari, President, Allahabad High Court Bar Association said:
“…If Rs 15 lakhs are found at the house of a common employee, then he is sent to jail. Cash worth Rs 15 crores is found at the house of a judge and he is being given ‘Ghar Wapsi’. Is Allahabad High Court a dustbin? The High Court Bar is standing against corruption with a very strong footing. We will not let him be welcomed here. If he joins, we will sine die the Court and the lawyers will abstain from the Court…It is our demand that Justice Yashwant Varma should not be sent to Allahabad High Court…”
The association further pointed out the potential damage this decision could inflict on the image of Allahabad High Court by recalling that Justice Verma had already served there before his elevation to Delhi High Court in 2021. They stated,
“It is pertinent to mention here that Hon’ble Justice Verma was elevated as a judge in Allahabad High Court and was transferred from Allahabad to Delhi High Court in October 2021.”
HCBA also raised questions regarding the decision-making process of the Supreme Court collegium, especially concerning the integrity and reputation of Allahabad High Court.
They asserted,
“It is also of grave concern that while appointing judges by elevating members of the bar, the bar was never consulted.”
Additionally, the HCBA reminded readers of the Supreme Court’s past critical observations regarding the judicial listing system, stating,
“The Hon’ble Apex Court has observed about the Allahabad High Court’s ‘collapsing listing system’.”
HCBA further highlighted the ongoing administrative and operational crisis, citing,
“There is no doubt that the High Court of Allahabad is flooded with litigation.”
They elaborated on the massive gap between the workload and available judicial strength, stating,
“We are informed that each Hon’ble Judge in the High Court has with him or her around 15000 to 20000 matters. The High Court has a sanctioned strength of 160 Judges but unfortunately is working today with a strength of 84 Judges.”
Concerned over the delays in justice, HCBA recommended immediate remedial steps, stating clearly,
“The litigants are eagerly waiting for their matters to be taken up and decided.”
They urged necessary steps to fill judicial vacancies promptly, asserting,
“The only way out is to take necessary steps at the earliest to fill-up the vacancies recommending suitable persons on the basis of pure merit and ability.”
The Bar Association demanded urgent action from the Chief Justice, explicitly stating,
“Let this petition be treated as a representation addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.”
They also instructed the registry clearly:
“The Registry shall forward one copy of the Writ Petition along with this order to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.”
Expressing deep concern over the prevailing circumstances and perceived conspiracy against the Allahabad High Court, the Association remarked,
“We are facing so many problems particularly shortage of judges resulting into fresh cases not being heard for months thereby diminishing the faith of public in the rule of law.” They continued by accusing indirectly, “Bar Association feels that a conspiracy behind all these factors to divide the Allahabad High Court in parts.”
Due to these mounting issues, the HCBA decided to urgently convene a general meeting, noting explicitly,
“In this situation, we are compelled to convene an emergent General House so that the suitable decision to be taken by the members of the Bar.”
They officially announced,
“The General House is notified to be held on 24.03.2025 (Monday) at 01:15 P.M. in Library Hall of the Association.”
Finally, HCBA clarified their core intention behind these actions, reinforcing that their sole objective is
“to maintain the faith and confidence of public in judiciary.”
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