The transfer of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma has stirred strong reactions, with Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya acknowledging the distress the decision has caused among legal circles. The issue was brought up in court by senior advocate Arun Bhardwaj, who urged administrative action to prevent such incidents in the future.
🔎 Delhi HC Chief Justice’s Response
On Friday, when the matter was mentioned before CJ Upadhyaya’s bench, he remarked, “We are conscious of the incident.”
Advocate Arun Bhardwaj expressed the sentiment of many lawyers, stating:
📌 “Today’s incident has pained many of us. Please take some steps on the administrative side so that these incidents do not happen in the future and the truthfulness of the judicial system is maintained…We are shaken and demoralized.”
To this, CJ Upadhyaya responded: “So is everybody…We are conscious (of the incident).”
🔥 Why Was Justice Yashwant Varma Transferred?
On Thursday, the Supreme Court Collegium decided to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court after an adverse report surfaced regarding the recovery of cash during a fire at his residence.
Following this development:
✅ The Collegium recommended his transfer.
✅ Justice Varma went on leave on Friday.
✅ Attempts to contact his office for clarification remained unanswered.
📜 Impact & Reactions from Legal Community
🗣️ Advocate Bhardwaj told The Indian Express:
📝 “This shakes the faith in the entire system. I don’t know how this black spot will go away. We respect judges, and clients look at them as blot-less people.”
🚨 Meanwhile, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has reportedly sought a fact-finding report from Delhi HC CJ Upadhyaya. The Supreme Court Collegium is waiting for this report to determine whether an in-house inquiry is necessary.
🛑 High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Allahabad's Stand:
📌 The Allahabad HCBA passed a resolution stating that the Bar body has been “compelled to convene an emergent General House” to discuss the issue.
📌 They declared: “We are not ready to accept corruption.”
📅 Upcoming Meeting:
🔹 Date: March 24, 2025 (Monday)
🔹 Time: 01:15 P.M.
🔹 Venue: Library Hall, Allahabad HC Bar Association
The meeting aims to decide the next steps regarding the judiciary’s credibility and the Bar’s stance on the transfer.
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