‘A victory for the public’: Bar assn hails ‘impeachment’ move against Justice Varma | Prayagraj News
Prayagraj: Allahabad High Court Bar Association on Wednesday hailed the Centre’s reported move to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma over the alleged recovery of cash from his residence, calling it a “victory for the public.“Bar association president Anil Tiwari said the move reinforces public trust in the power of judiciary.“Because of this motion, the public will feel that the former chief justice of India (CJI) Justice Sanjiv Khanna and the govt have heard their voice. It is a step towards the victory of the public and the cause,” said Tiwari.He appealed to all the political parties to vote in favour of the impeachment.Justice Varma became a centre of controversy on March 21 after a fire at a storeroom in the outhouse of his official bungalow led to the alleged discovery of sacks of cash.The then CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna on March 22 initiated an in-house inquiry and tasked a panel of three high court judges to examine the allegations.This was followed by the Supreme Court making the video of fire dousing, the report of the Delhi High Court Chief Justice and Justice Varma’s response public on its official website. Justice Varma has denied possession of cash and claimed it to be a conspiracy.On March 24, the Delhi High Court withdrew judicial work from Justice Varma in pursuance of SC directives. Subsequently, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended his transfer to Allahabad HC, his parent high court. He was administered oath by chief justice of Allahabad High Court in his chamber on April 5 without any ceremony. Justice Varma, who originally belonged to the Allahabad High Court and took oath as judge here in 2014, was transferred to Delhi in 2021.Now the in-house inquiry panel has submitted its report to the CJI, who in turn submitted it to the President of India.
