Why Justice Varma Had to Move Despite Duties

The Supreme Court collegium's decision to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi high court to the Allahabad high court was not merely a response to the controversy surrounding him, but also a pragmatic move to prevent an administrative impasse in Delhi.

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI: Justice Varma, by virtue of his seniority, was a member of both the collegium and key administrative committees in the Delhi high court. With his judicial work suspended in light of the ongoing inquiry into the allegations concerning the discovery of large sums of cash at his official residence, his continued presence in Delhi would have effectively stalled critical decision-making processes.

All five members of the Supreme Court collegium were thus unanimous in their decision to repatriate Justice Varma. As per the established procedure, following the collegium's March 20 meeting, where the decision was taken to transfer him, Justice Varma was asked for his opinion. In his response, he consented to return to the Allahabad high court, his parent institution.

While his judicial work was withdrawn following a Delhi high court circular issued on Monday morning, his status as a senior judge meant that he remained a member of the high court collegium and various administrative committees. People familiar with the deliberations confirmed that his continued presence in these crucial bodies would have led to an operational deadlock.