Bar Association President Anil Tiwari said, “Lawyers of the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad will go on an indefinite strike from Tuesday following Justice Yashwant Varma’s transfer to Allahabad High Court.”
Lucknow/Prayagraj (UP): The lawyers of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association have announced an indefinite strike starting from March 25.
This protest is against the proposed transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court. A senior office bearer of the association confirmed this development on Monday.
Bar Association President Anil Tiwari said, “Lawyers of the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad will go on an indefinite strike from Tuesday following Justice Yashwant Varma’s transfer to Allahabad High Court.”
He further mentioned that they are also reaching out to bar associations in Lucknow regarding this matter.
“We are sending a request to the Bar Associations in Lucknow in this regard,” he added.
The Supreme Court collegium on Monday reaffirmed its recommendation to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court. Justice Varma is currently under investigation after a large amount of cash was allegedly found at his official residence. Following this, his judicial work was withdrawn.
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association strongly opposes his transfer and has demanded a thorough review of his past judgments. They believe that an inquiry should be conducted before relocating him.
“The bar association has also demanded the scrutiny of judgments of Justice Varma, subjected to an enquiry over the alleged discovery of huge cash from his residential home, and opposed his proposed repatriation.”
ALSO READ: Justice Yashwant Varma Denies Cash Stash Seen In Video: “Conspiracy To Frame Me”
Previously, The Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) passed a resolution on Monday calling for the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma.
This resolution adopted during a meeting held on Monday afternoon, where the Bar Association expressed its firm opposition to any proposal from the Supreme Court Collegium regarding Justice Varma’s transfer back to the Allahabad High Court.
Also Read: Notable Judgments by Justice Yashwant Varma: Delhi High Court
The lawyers also resolved to cease all judicial work after lunch that day.
The resolution stated,
“The Bar Association firmly believes that immediate steps should be taken to impeach the delinquent judge,”
The resolution concluded,
“It is important to note that following this incident, the judiciary especially the High Court and Supreme Court may struggle to maintain a claim to moral high ground. The Chief Justice should promptly recommend to the government that impeachment proceedings be initiated against Justice Yashwant Varma,”
These developments followed the recovery of unaccounted cash from an outhouse at Justice Varma’s residence last week, after firefighters were called to extinguish a fire.
This incident sparked allegations of corruption against Justice Varma, who has denied the claims, asserting that it seems to be a conspiracy aimed at framing him.
On March 22, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) initiated an in-house inquiry and assigned a panel of three High Court judges to investigate the allegations against Justice Varma.
The controversy began after a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s residence in Lutyens’ Delhi on March 14, around 11:35 PM. Fire department officials reached the scene and extinguished the fire. During this incident, a large sum of cash was reportedly discovered at his residence.
Following this, the Supreme Court collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, took swift action. The Delhi High Court also intervened and issued several directives, including the withdrawal of judicial responsibilities from Justice Varma.
“The apex court collegium headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna and the Delhi High Court subsequently issued a series of directives, including the withdrawal of judicial work from Justice Varma on Monday.”
The Supreme Court collegium has now recommended Justice Varma’s transfer to the Centre.
“A Supreme Court collegium on Monday recommended the judge’s transfer to the Centre.”
