Justice Yashwant Varma’s Controversial Oath Ceremony

New Allahabad High Court Judge Sworn In Amid Cash Scandal

Justice Yashwant Varma took his oath as an Allahabad high court judge on Saturday, despite a lingering controversy. The controversy arose from the alleged discovery of semi-burnt sacks filled with cash at his residence last month.

Oath Ceremony During Ongoing Investigation

• Justice Varma’s transfer from the Delhi high court to the Allahabad high court took place while an in-house inquiry, ordered by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), was ongoing.
• The inquiry concerns the reported finding of “four to five semi-burnt sacks” containing rupee currency notes at his residence following a fire incident.

Temporary Halt on Judicial Work

According to court sources, Justice Varma will not receive any judicial assignments for the time being, even after his swearing-in.

Public Interest Litigation Submitted

• A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed on Wednesday with the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court, seeking to prevent the oath-taking ceremony.
• The PIL, submitted by advocate Vikash Chaturvedi, requested the high court’s Chief Justice to withhold the oath until the inquiry’s conclusion.

Legal Community Criticism

The controversy has elicited strong criticism from the legal community. In a forceful letter addressed to the Chief Justice and judges of the high court, the Allahabad high court Bar association denounced the Collegium’s decision, stating, “We aren’t a trash bin,” expressing dissatisfaction with the appointment.