Updated: 22th march,2025

Who is Justice Yashwant Varma?

Justice Varma was born in Allahabad on January 6, 1969, and attended Hansraj College, Delhi University, to get a BCom (Honours) degree before earning his law degree.

On October 13, 2014, he was named an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court. Later, on February 1, 2016, he was sworn in as a Permanent Judge before being transferred to the Delhi High Court on October 11, 2021. Prior to his elevation, he also held the position of Chief Standing Counsel for the Uttar Pradesh government between 2012 and 2013, during which time he was designated as a Senior Advocate.

Justice Varma is the son of former Allahabad High Court judge A N Varma.

So what really happened in the Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma controversy so far?

Despite its impressiveness, Justice Varma’s career has not been without controversy. The Supreme Court Collegium has suggested that he be sent to the Allahabad High Court in light of the recent discovery of cash discovered at his home during a fire. Given his judicial and administrative positions in Delhi, where he had a significant influence on the development of legal procedures, this action has drawn criticism.

It is impossible to ignore Justice Varma’s legal contributions in spite of the controversy. His career has had a long-lasting effect on Indian law, from important constitutional law verdicts to his membership in well-known committees.

• Justice Varma’s house reports incident of fire.

• Fire department in action.

• Reports surface about unaccounted cash recovered from his residence.

• Supreme Court judges assemble late. Collegium assembled post 11 AM.

• Sources privy to the meeting confirm that transfer approved by Collegium.

• It is stated that an in-house inquiry has begun, with a report from Delhi High Court Chief Justice sought.

• Fire department says no cash found.

• Supreme Court press release says transfer still not recommended and separate from in-house inquiry.

• Only confirmation is a report from Delhi High Court Chief Justice sought.

Why are legal professionals advocating for judicial transparency?

The Supreme Court Collegium recommended that Justice Yashwant Varma be transferred from the Delhi High Court back to the Allahabad High Court, and he has had a distinguished legal career spanning several decades. However, the decision to shift him follows reports of unaccounted cash being found at his official residence, raising concerns about transparency and judicial accountability.

The controversy surrounding Justice Varma has intensified demands for institutional reforms, with legal experts insisting on stronger mechanisms to uphold the credibility and integrity of the judiciary.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising has urged the Collegium to “immediately disclose the exact amount of money recovered” to prevent speculation surrounding the case.

Meanwhile, Senior Advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal emphasised the gravity of corruption within the judiciary, calling for urgent reforms in the judicial appointment process.

Sibal stated:
“The issue of corruption within the judiciary is a very serious one. This is not something that has been raised for the first time; it has been ongoing for years. It is time for the Supreme Court to review how appointments are made. The process should be more transparent and carefully conducted.”

He further criticised the current administration, saying, “Corruption is a very serious issue, and despite what PM Modi has said, it has only increased.”

“Allahabad High Court is not a trash bin”: Bar Association opposes transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma

“We will not accept corrupt people. We will close the court work if needed… We will go sine die if needed,” the Bar President told Bar and Bench.

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 the Allahabad High Court, following the recovery of unaccounted cash from his residence.

The Bar Association, in a press release, expressed shock over the move to transfer him to the 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 a 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 the recovery of cash from the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma threw the legal fraternity into a 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.

The Supreme Court of India has also initiated an in-house inquiry against Justice Varma and sought a reply from the Delhi High Court Chief Justice.

Meanwhile, the Bar Association questioned whether the Supreme Court Collegium’s decision implied 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 continuous problems, new judges have not been appointed for 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 up to the mark. Something is lacking, which has resulted in corruption and consequently, great damage has been caused to the public faith in the judiciary,” it stated.

The lawyers’ body further said that the Supreme 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.