The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has expressed strong opposition to the transfer of Justice Yashwant Verma from the Delhi High Court (HC) to the Allahabad High Court, calling the move unacceptable.
In a strongly worded letter, the association stated, “We are not a garbage dump,” voicing its displeasure over the decision of the Supreme Court Collegium.
The controversy erupted following reports that a substantial amount of cash, allegedly around `15 Crore, was recovered from Justice Verma’s official residence in Delhi while fire department personnel were extinguishing a blaze. The Supreme Court took cognisance of the matter, leading to his transfer to the Allahabad High Court. In a resolution passed on Friday, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association stated that it was “shocked and dismayed” by the transfer, emphasising that such decisions undermine the dignity and reputation of the judiciary in Allahabad. The association further criticised the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, for transferring Justice Verma to his parent High Court in the wake of the allegations. The transfer decision has sparked intense debate within legal circles, with senior advocates arguing that judges facing controversy should not be reassigned without a transparent inquiry. The Bar Association has called for a reconsideration of the transfer and demanded clarity on the circumstances surrounding the alleged cash recovery.
As the matter unfolds, legal experts and judicial observers are closely monitoring the developments, with concerns being raised over the impact of such decisions on judicial accountability and public trust in the legal system.
Who is Justice Verma? Born on January 6, 1969, in Allahabad, Justice Verma completed his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at Hansraj College, Delhi University, and obtained his LLB from Rewa University, Madhya Pradesh. He enrolled as an advocate in 1992 and practiced extensively in the Allahabad High Court, specialising in constitutional law, taxation, corporate law, and industrial disputes. He served as Special Counsel for the Allahabad High Court (2006-2014) and as Chief Standing Counsel for the State of Uttar Pradesh (2012-2013).
