On Friday, the government approved the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma back to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court, following the cash haul case. Justice Varma has been directed to take charge at the Allahabad High Court, although the Chief Justice there has been instructed not to assign any judicial duties to him for the time being.

This decision came a day after the government indicated that it was reviewing the situation and would make a decision regarding Justice Varma’s transfer within a couple of days. Additionally, the Centre also approved the Supreme Court Collegium’s long-pending recommendation to repatriate Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, another judge from the Delhi High Court, back to the Allahabad High Court.

In November 2024, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna, along with Justices BR Gavai and Suryakant, had recommended the transfer of Justice Singh to his parent court. Both Justice Singh and Justice Yashwant Varma were transferred from the Allahabad High Court to the Delhi High Court in October 2021. Following the discovery of a large sum of money at Justice Varma’s residence during a fire incident last week, the Collegium recommended his repatriation. Consequently, the Delhi High Court registry withdrew all judicial work assigned to him.

However, the transfer of Justice Varma sparked protests from the Allahabad Bar Association, which launched an indefinite strike, arguing that judges facing corruption allegations should not be reinstated. Other bar associations across the country have expressed solidarity with the Allahabad association, warning that they will stage sit-ins if their demands are not addressed.

In response to the controversy, the Chief Justice of India formed a three-member panel to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, which has shaken the legal community. Justice Varma, for his part, has denied the charges, claiming that he is being “defamed in the press.”