The Supreme Court on Monday confirmed that Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, who is in the middle of a controversy after a huge stack of cash was recovered from his residence, would be transferred to Allahabad High Court—his parent HC.
"The Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings held on March 20 and 24, 2025 has recommended the repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge, High Court of Delhi, to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad," said a top court statement.
The Collegium comprises Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice Surya Kant and Justice A.S. Oka.
The apex court's decision comes amid strong protests from the Allahabad High Court Bar Association which stressed that no court should be used as a “dumping ground”.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Association President Anil Tiwari demanded that all judgments delivered by Justice Varma during his tenure be thoroughly reviewed to restore public confidence in the judicial process.
“He (Justice Varma) should remain in Delhi under the close watch of the Supreme Court until the completion of the proceedings,” he said.
Tiwari also requested the CJI to permit the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate to lodge an FIR and proceed with a formal investigation.
A huge pile of cash was allegedly recovered when a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s house around 11.30 pm on March 14. The Delhi fire department rushed to the spot and doused the fire.
On Saturday, CJI Sanjiv Khanna formed a three-member committee to investigate the allegations against Justice Varma and directed Chief Justice of Delhi High Court D.K. Upadhyay not to assign any judicial work to him.
The Delhi High Court on Monday announced the immediate withdrawal of judicial responsibilities from Justice Varma until further notice.