Justice Varma took oath in a private ceremony in his chamber. File.
Justice Yashwant Varma, who is at the centre of a raging controversy after unaccounted-for cash was found at his official residence in the capital, took oath as judge at the Allahabad High Court on Saturday.
Unlike the conventional oath-taking ceremony, which is attended by senior judges, lawyers and other dignitaries, Justice Varma took oath in a private ceremony in his chamber. However, he will not be assigned any judicial work till the Supreme Court-ordered inquiry against him is over.
Supreme Court Recommends Transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma
The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, has recommended the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court. This decision follows the withdrawal of work from Justice Varma by the Delhi High Court on March 24, 2025. The transfer recommendation was made during Supreme Court Collegium meetings held on March 20 and 24. The move is part of judicial reorganization within the Indian judiciary.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
The Centre repatriated him from the Delhi High Court to Allahabad on March 28, following a recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium. The lawyers of the Allahabad High Court had protested against the transfer.
In a letter to the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Arun Bhansali, the High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Allahabad, criticised the “clandestine manner” in which Justice Varma was administered the oath of office.
‘Unconstitutional move’
“Justice must not only be done, it should also seem to be done. Administration of oath to a judge is a quintessential event in our judicial system. Lawyers being equal stakeholders in the institution, cannot be kept away. The High Court Bar Association passed a resolution saying therein that this oath is against the Constitution of India and therefore, the members of the association do not want to be associated with the unconstitutional oath,” the letter reads.
The associated pointed out oath-taking had traditionally and continuously been conducted in open court. In this case, the lawyer fraternity was not kept informed.
“This may erode their confidence in this institution. We request our Chief Justice to protect the fundamental values and follow the traditions of this institution. Also, we have been given to understand that the majority of judges were also not invited to/informed of the aforesaid [oath-taking]. Thus, legally and traditionally, the oath administered to Justice Verma is fallacious/ unacceptable,” the Bar said.
The Supreme Court, which ordered an in-house inquiry against Justice Verma, had made public a video of the half-burnt cash found at his bungalow. The top court also directed the Delhi High Court not to assign any judicial work to Justice Verma.
Published – April 05, 2025 10:34 pm IST