‘Not dumping ground’: Allahabad Bar Association calls indefinite strike over judge’s return in cash haul case

“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,” Anil Tiwari, President of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association told PTI, adding that the lawyers are sending a request to the Bar Associations in Lucknow in the matter.

Tiwari minced no words in criticising the transfer of the judge back to Allahabad High Court, saying no court should be treated as a “dumping ground”.

“The CJI has been requested not to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court or any other court because no court is a dumping ground,” said Tiwari. “He should remain in Delhi under the close watch of the Supreme Court until the completion of the proceedings.”

The Association also demanded that all judgments delivered by Justice Varma during his tenure should be reviewed to restore public confidence.

“We have requested the CJI to permit the CBI and ED to lodge an FIR and proceed with a formal investigation… We have also raised the issue of the Uncle Judge syndrome, where judges with family members practicing in a particular court should be transferred to ensure transparency and public trust,” Tiwari added.

#WATCH | Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma row | Prayagraj, UP: Anil Tiwari, President of Allahabad High Court Bar Association says, “The CJI has been requested not to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma in Allahabad High Court or any other court because no court is a… pic.twitter.com/hTg85B7E1q

— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025

Following a high-stakes meeting in Prayagraj, the Bar Association passed eleven proposals, urging the need for an impartial probe and questioning the system of judicial appointments. Tiwari, while speaking to news agency PTI in Prayagraj, reiterated the Association’s firm stand against Varma’s transfer.

“We will not tolerate his transfer here under any circumstances; it did not happen today, nor should it happen in the future,” he asserted.

Tiwari also pointed to flaws in the judicial appointment system, alleging favouritism towards judges with family connections. “Appointments are given for those who are well-connected or those who are from family of lawyers and are close to the sitting judges. Those who are talented are deprived of opportunities,” he said.

In the wake of the controversy, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna convened a meeting of the Collegium on March 20 to discuss the matter. Following the meeting, the Collegium unanimously decided to recommend Justice Varma’s transfer. However, soon after the recommendation, the Allahabad Bar Association submitted a memorandum to the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, Judges in Allahabad, the Registrar General of the High Court, and the President of Oudh Bar Association, Lucknow.

In its memorandum, the Bar Association questioned whether the Allahabad High Court was being treated as a “trash bin,” raising concerns over the handling of the situation.

Justice Yashwant Varma was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court on October 11, 2021, after serving as a judge at his parent court, Allahabad High Court, for nearly seven years. Amid the mounting controversy, Justice Varma has maintained that no cash was shown to the staff at his residence and that the controversy is to “frame and malign” him.