Key Points:
- Indefinite strike by Allahabad High Court lawyers continues for the third day, disrupting judicial work.
- The protest opposes the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma, who is under investigation for alleged cash recovery at his Delhi residence.
- Lawyers demand withdrawal of the transfer order, calling it a “reward for corruption.”
- Bar Association suspends memberships of lawyers defying the strike and threatens further action.
Prayagraj: Judicial proceedings at the Allahabad High Court remain paralyzed for the third consecutive day as the indefinite strike by lawyers against the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma continues. The protest stems from allegations of corruption against Justice Varma, following the discovery of a significant amount of cash at his Delhi residence after a fire incident earlier this month.
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association (AHCBA) has strongly opposed the Supreme Court Collegium’s decision to transfer Justice Varma to his parent court in Allahabad. The association claims that transferring a judge under investigation amounts to “rewarding corruption” rather than holding him accountable.
Bar Association’s Actions
In a press release on Thursday, March 27, AHCBA announced that all judicial work would remain stalled until their demands are met. The association has also urged judges to support their movement.
AHCBA Secretary Vikrant Pandey stated that lawyers who defied the strike by appearing in court have had their memberships suspended immediately. These lawyers have been issued show-cause notices and must provide explanations within two days. Failure to respond will result in permanent termination of their membership, and a request will be made to cancel their advocate registration.
Joint Secretary Puneet Kumar Shukla added that due to the ongoing strike, crucial services like affidavit centers have been shut down. Senior members of the association have approached judges directly, asking them not to hear cases during this period.
Background on Justice Yashwant Varma
The controversy surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma began after a fire broke out at his official residence in Delhi on March 14, 2025. Firefighters reportedly discovered semi-burnt sacks containing large amounts of cash during their operation. Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that neither he nor his family owned or stored the cash and alleging that this is part of a conspiracy to tarnish his reputation.
Following these allegations, the Delhi High Court withdrew Justice Varma’s judicial duties while an in-house inquiry was initiated by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya. The Supreme Court Collegium later recommended his transfer to Allahabad High Court, which was confirmed on March 24.
Lawyers’ Protest Intensifies
The AHCBA launched its indefinite strike on March 25, immediately after the transfer order was issued. During an emergency meeting, Bar Association President Anil Tiwari declared that the protest is not personal but aimed at protecting public faith in the judiciary. “If corruption infiltrates our courts, it will pave the way for mafia rule in this country,” he said.
Tiwari further emphasized that the association would oppose any attempt to transfer Justice Varma to any court in India until he is cleared of all allegations. “This is a fight for transparency and accountability in our judicial system,” he added.
Implications
The strike has caused widespread disruption at one of India’s busiest high courts. Litigants have been left stranded as hearings are indefinitely postponed. Legal experts warn that prolonged strikes could lead to significant case backlogs and delays in justice delivery.
Despite mounting pressure, neither the Supreme Court nor the central government has indicated any plans to revoke Justice Varma’s transfer order. Meanwhile, investigations into the cash recovery case continue under a three-member panel appointed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.
As tensions rise between lawyers and judicial authorities, all eyes remain on how this unprecedented standoff will unfold. While lawyers fight for what they call “justice and transparency,” critics argue that such disruptions undermine public trust in India’s legal system.
