Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has assured bar associations that he will consider their demand to withdraw the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma, who is facing allegations of corruption after a huge amount of cash was found in his residence. This development comes after the presidents of six bar associations met with the CJI on Thursday, seeking justice in the matter.
According to Allahabad Bar Association chief Anil Tiwari, the CJI assured them that he would consider their demand. Additionally, the CJI stated that even after Justice Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad High Court, his judicial work would remain withdrawn.
The controversy surrounding Justice Varma began when a large sum of cash was discovered in his residence during a fire incident. As a result, he was repatriated from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court, and the Delhi High Court registry withdrew his judicial work.
However, the decision was met with protests from the Allahabad Bar Association, which began an indefinite strike, stating that they would not tolerate judges facing corruption charges. After the CJI’s assurance, the bar body said they would reconsider continuing with the strike.
The bar associations have submitted a memorandum to the CJI, urging him to eradicate corruption from the judiciary and initiate criminal proceedings in the case. They also questioned why no FIR was registered despite the incident occurring on March 14.
If their demands are not met, the bar associations have threatened to stage sit-in protests across the country. Earlier this week, the CJI constituted a three-member panel to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.
Justice Varma has denied the allegations, claiming he is being “defamed in the press.”