Sat Apr 05 17:04:11 UTC 2025: ## Controversial Judge Takes Oath in Private Ceremony Amidst Outcry
**Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, April 5, 2025** – Justice Yashwant Varma, embroiled in controversy following the discovery of unaccounted-for cash at his residence, was sworn in as a judge at the Allahabad High Court on Saturday. However, the ceremony, held privately in his chambers, has sparked outrage among lawyers and raised concerns about transparency within the judiciary.
Unlike traditional oath-taking ceremonies, which involve senior judges, lawyers, and dignitaries, Justice Varma’s swearing-in was a clandestine affair. The Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) strongly condemned the event in a letter to Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, criticizing the lack of transparency and accusing the court of violating established traditions. The HCBA argued that excluding lawyers from the ceremony undermines their faith in the institution and violates the principles of open justice. They further asserted that the majority of judges were also uninformed of the event.
The controversy stems from an ongoing Supreme Court inquiry into the unaccounted cash found at Justice Varma’s Delhi High Court residence. Following the inquiry’s initiation, the Centre transferred him to Allahabad on March 28, a move that was met with protests from Allahabad High Court lawyers. The Supreme Court has already directed that Justice Varma not be assigned any judicial work until the inquiry concludes. A video of the half-burnt cash was publicly released by the Supreme Court as part of its investigation.
Justice Varma’s oath will not take effect until the Supreme Court’s investigation is complete. The HCBA’s letter insists that the private ceremony was unconstitutional and unacceptable, emphasizing that the administration of a judicial oath should be a public affair. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about accountability and transparency within the Indian judiciary.
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