• By Aditya Jha
  • Sat, 05 Apr 2025 02:31 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Justice Yashwant Varma on Saturday took oath as a judge of the Allahabad High Court amid a massive backlash. Justice Verma, who is facing an in-house inquiry over allegations of cash found at his Delhi residence, took oath in a private setting. The oath ceremony is usually attended by various dignitaries.

However, Justice Varma will not be assigned any judicial work despite the swearing-in, reported the Times of India, citing court sources. Earlier on Wednesday, advocate Vikash Chaturvedi filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court, seeking to halt the ceremony. The PIL urged the court's Chief Justice not to give judicial duties to Justice Varma until the inquiry concludes.

ALSO READ: Indian Railways News: Northern Zone Generates Record Revenue By Selling Scrap, Check How Much It Earned

Earlier on March 28, the centre notified the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma to Allahabad High Court amid the probe over the alleged discovery of cash at his official residence. The Supreme Court Collegium had earlier recommended his repatriation to his parent high court following the development.

"In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to transfer Shri Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge, Delhi high court, to be a Judge of Allahabad High Court and to direct him to assume charge of his office in the Allahabad high court," the order said.

However, Justice Varma stated that he had no information regarding the cash, adding that he was not in Delhi when the incident took place. He further said that the room where the cash was recovered is accessible to other people and someone has tried to malign his image.

ALSO READ: RBI To Issue Notes Of Rs 10 and Rs 500 In New Series, Will Bear Signature Of Guv Malhotra

"This room was generally utilised by all and sundry to store articles such as unused furniture, bottles, crockery, mattresses, used carpets, old speakers, garden implements as well as CPWD (Central Public Works Department) material. This room is unlocked and accessible both from the official front gate as well as the backdoor of the staff quarters. It is disconnected from the main residence and is surely not a room in my house as has been portrayed," the judge said in his response.