Cash Recovery Row: Allahabad HC Bar Association Heads Reach Delhi To Meet CJI Sanjiv Khanna

Days after the Supreme Court collegium recommended the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court, the issue surrounding him has intensified.

Anil Tiwari, President of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, along with members from various state bar associations, has formally requested an audience with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna.

The group intends to discuss the significant discovery of unaccounted cash found at Justice Varma’s residence.

Request For Meeting With CJI

Earlier in the day, Anil Tiwari, who is in the national capital, met with Kapil Sibal, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. Sources suggest that the Allahabad High Court Bar Association is under pressure to present its position on the Yashwant Varma case to the Chief Justice. The timing of these developments suggests mounting concern and scrutiny over the incident.

Formation Of Inquiry Committee

In response to the discovery, the Chief Justice of India formed a three-member committee last week to investigate the allegations. The committee is made up of Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana; Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh; and Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka. The committee has been tasked with conducting a thorough inquiry into the matter.

Incident & Cash Discovery

The incident that led to the discovery of the unaccounted cash occurred on the day of Holi. Reports indicate that Justice Varma was not at home when a fire broke out at his official residence. His family members promptly alerted the fire brigade, and during the firefighting efforts, responders stumbled upon a large amount of cash hidden in a room. The discovery has sparked controversy and raised questions regarding the source and legitimacy of the funds.

Justice Yashwant Varma’s Career

Justice Yashwant Varma’s judicial career began when he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court in October 2014. Two years later, in February 2016, he was appointed as a permanent judge of the court. Throughout his tenure, Justice Varma presided over cases relating to constitutional law, labor disputes, and issues concerning industries, corporations, and taxes.

As the inquiry progresses, the legal community and the public await clarity on the matter, particularly regarding any potential repercussions for Justice Varma.

His transfer and the ongoing investigation into the cash discovery have sparked widespread attention, with many closely monitoring the outcome of the committee’s findings.