Justice Varma sworn in as Allahabad HC judge amid backlash and ongoing inquiry

Justice Varma sworn in as Allahabad HC judge amid backlash and ongoing inquiry

Justice Yashwant Varma on Saturday took the oath as a judge of the Allahabad High Court, amid ongoing controversy over the alleged recovery of semi-burnt sacks of cash from his residence last month.

Despite taking the oath, court sources confirmed that Justice Varma would not be assigned any judicial duties for the time being.

Justice Varma's move from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court occurred while an internal investigation, launched by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), is still ongoing. The probe is focused on the discovery of "four to five semi-burnt sacks" of currency notes at his residence following a reported fire.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed on Wednesday before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, seeking to postpone the oath-taking ceremony. The PIL, filed by advocate Vikash Chaturvedi, requested that the Chief Justice refrain from administering the oath until the investigation is completed.

The controversy has sparked intense criticism from the legal community. In a strongly worded letter to the Chief Justice and judges of the high court, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association condemned the Collegium's decision, stating, "We aren't a trash bin," and expressing dismay over the appointment.