The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has taken strong objection to the Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation for repatriation of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma to Allahabad High Court, following recovery of unaccounted cash from his residence.
The Bar Association in a press released expressed shock over the move to transfer him to Allahabad High Court.
"Allahabad High Court kude ka dibba nahi hai jo yahan bhej diya gaya hai (Allahabad High Court is not a trash bin that he has been sent here), the Bar Association President Anil Tiwari told Bar and Bench.
"We will not accept corrupt people. We will close the court work if needed. this is a press release for general body meeting on Monday (March 24) and then we will take action. We will go sine die if needed," Tiwari added.
The controversy surrounding recovery of cash from the residence of Justice Varma threw the legal fraternity into frenzy on Friday morning. The Bar Association press note mentions that ₹15 crore cash was recovered from the judge's residence.
Various media outlets reported that a huge pile of cash was inadvertently recovered from the house of the judge when a fire brigade had gone there to douse a fire.
The report also said that pursuant to the incident, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the transfer of Justice Varma back to his parent High Court - the Allahabad High Court.
Supreme Court has also initiated an in-house inquiry against Justice Varma and sought reply from Delhi High Court Chief Justice.
Meanwhile, the Bar Association asked whether the Supreme Court Collegium's decision implies that the Allahabad High Court was being treated as a dumping ground.
"This matter becomes important when we examine the current situation wherein the Allahabad High Court is short of Hon'ble judges and despite the continuous problems, new judges have not appointed since last many years. It is also of grave concern that while appointing judges by elevating members of the Bar, the Bar was never consulted. Consideration of eligibility appears to be not upto the mark. Something is lacking which has resulted incorruption and consequently, a great damage has been caused to the "public faith in judiciary," it states.
The lawyers body further said that the apex court is well aware of the situation as time and again, it has remarked on the state of the Allahabad High Court, even observing that "something is rotten in the Allahabad High Court."
The Bar Association further highlighted the severe shortage of judges, causing delays in hearing fresh cases and eroding public faith in the rule of law. However, it asserted that the Allahabad High Court is not a dumping ground and remains steadfast against corruption.
It also expressed concerns over a possible conspiracy to "divide the court" and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding public trust in the judiciary.
In light of the situation, an emergent General House meeting has been scheduled for March 24 at 1:15 PM in the Library Hall of the Association.
[Read Press Release]