A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, requesting that the Chief Justice of the High Court refrain from administering the oath to Justice Yashwant Varma. The petition, filed by advocate Vikash Chaturvedi, cites concerns over an ongoing in-house inquiry into the discovery of “four to five semi-burnt sacks” of Indian currency notes at Justice Varma’s residence following a fire last month.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on April 4, as per court sources.
Justice Varma, recently transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court, has been at the center of controversy following the incident. The Supreme Court collegium recommended his transfer, which was subsequently approved by the central government through a notification issued on March 28, 2025. The petitioner has also challenged this notification, arguing that the transfer decision is premature given the ongoing probe.
Advocate Ashok Pandey, representing the petitioner, stated that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) has already instructed the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma while the inquiry is in progress. “Given these instructions, proceeding with the oath ceremony is unjustified,” Pandey argued before the court.
The in-house inquiry, initiated by the CJI, aims to determine the origin and implications of the recovered cash. The incident has drawn significant public and legal scrutiny, raising questions about judicial accountability and the impact of such allegations on the judiciary’s integrity.
Legal experts suggest that the PIL could test the judiciary’s approach to handling allegations against sitting judges under active investigation. The April 4 hearing is expected to determine whether Justice Varma’s oath-taking proceeds as planned or is postponed pending further legal and administrative review.
The case has also sparked debate within the legal community, with some advocating for greater transparency in judicial appointments and transfers, while others emphasize the necessity of due process before reaching any conclusions.
As developments unfold, the Allahabad High Court’s decision will be closely watched for its implications on judicial independence and accountability in light of the serious allegations against Justice Varma.
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