Judges are Caesar’s wife: Allahabad Bar wants Justice Varma impeached in cash row

The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has called for a review of all judgments delivered by Justice Yashwant Varma during his tenure.

At the Allahabad and Delhi high courts and has demanded immediate steps for his impeachment. Bar association president Anil Tiwari said judges must be “above suspicion,” likening them to Roman ruler Julius Caesar’s wife.

The demand comes on the same day the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court. This follows the discovery of a large stash of burnt cash at his residence after a fire incident on March 14. However, Justice Varma has denied any connection between the money and his family.

Speaking on Monday, Tiwari said, “It is apposite to state that after this incident, the judiciary, specifically the high court and the Supreme Court, will not be able to claim moral high grounds.”

Reading a resolution before a gathering of advocates in the court library hall, he stated that Justice Varma’s “conduct” had “shocked the nation” and that “the functionality of the Constitution is at stake.” He further added, “Therefore, the continuance of Justice Yashwant Varma any further as high court judge is dangerous for the democracy as it eroded public faith, which is the only power available with the judicial system. If faith is gone, everything is gone, the nation will collapse.”

The resolution noted that senior lawyers discussed the matter and concluded that the issue did not concern any judicial function of Justice Varma. It stated that “no protection or facility is to be granted,” as such protections apply only to the discharge of judicial duties.