By The Sampadak Express
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, to the Allahabad High Court, following the controversial discovery of a stash of burnt cash from his residence. The transfer recommendation, made during meetings held on March 20 and 24, now awaits formal approval from the Centre.
The cash was recovered late on March 14, during the Holi festival, from a room near the servants’ quarters at Justice Varma’s bungalow by a fire service team that was responding to a fire. The incident has led to significant public and legal scrutiny, prompting calls for an investigation.
While the Supreme Court has ordered a probe into the matter, forming a three-member team consisting of the Chief Justices from the Punjab and Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka High Courts, the Court clarified that Justice Varma’s transfer is not directly linked to the cash recovery. However, this statement has been met with skepticism in legal circles, with many speculating that the transfer may be connected to the controversy.
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has opposed the transfer, urging that any decision should be deferred until the investigation is complete. Senior legal experts, including former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, have expressed concerns over the transfer, with some suggesting that it may be premature given the ongoing probe.“
I never understood this statement that this transfer has nothing to do with the cash scam. In my view, it is because of the cash scam that he is being transferred,” said Rohatgi. He emphasized the need to thoroughly investigate whether Justice Varma’s actions were morally and legally appropriate.
Former Solicitor General Harish Salve echoed similar sentiments, questioning the fairness of transferring the judge without a complete investigation. “If the allegations against him are false, transferring him is unjust, but if true, a mere transfer isn’t enough,” Salve commented.
The Supreme Court’s recommendation for the transfer was made despite the lack of detailed clarification regarding the reasons behind it, fueling further debate among legal professionals. In an unprecedented move, the Court has also uploaded a report on the matter, along with photos and videos, to its official website in the interest of transparency.
Justice Varma, who was in Bhopal at the time of the discovery, has denied any involvement of his family in the incident. He clarified that the room where the money was found was accessible to many people.
The investigation into the cash recovery continues, and the legal community remains divided over the appropriateness of the transfer and the broader implications for judicial transparency and accountability.
