Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 29 (HBTV): The president of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, Anil Tiwari, on Saturday criticised the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court, calling it the ‘blackest day in the Indian judicial system.’ The Bar Association is set to hold a meeting at 4 pm today with senior advocates amidst its indefinite protest over the transfer.

Justice Yashwant Varma was transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court following controversy over allegations of unaccounted cash discovered at his New Delhi residence on March 14 after a fire incident. However, Justice Varma denied any involvement, asserting that neither he nor his family members had placed the cash in the storeroom.

‘March 28 (2025) is the blackest day in the Indian judicial system. A man who is facing charges of corruption is going to take oath in Allahabad High Court,’ Tiwari told ANI.

Justice Varma took oath as a judge at the Allahabad High Court yesterday, with the Bar Association announcing a boycott of the ceremony and questioning whether he could ‘live up to his oath.’ The Association also decided to close down the affidavit centre in protest.

‘Today, a common man is asking this question about the person who couldn't live up to his oath in Delhi—will he do so here in Allahabad? What will happen to public faith? We boycott this oath, and we will not be a part of that. We are doing this for common litigants. We will now be opening up the affidavit centre so that litigants don’t have to face any issues,’ Tiwari said.

The Bar Association is planning to convene a meeting at 4 pm today with senior advocates and former office bearers.

Tiwari also thanked the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for directing that Justice Varma not be assigned any cases.

‘I thank the CJI and the collegium members that they have withdrawn his (Justice Yashwant Varma’s) judicial power,’ he said.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma upon assuming charge.

Members of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association recently launched an indefinite strike, voicing their dissent against the Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation to transfer Justice Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court.

Earlier on Friday, the central government issued a formal notification approving Justice Varma's transfer.

(ANI)