Judicial proceedings at the Allahabad High Court remained at a standstill for the second consecutive day as lawyers continued their indefinite strike against the proposed transfer of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. The protest, spearheaded by the Allahabad High Court Bar Association (AHCBA), intensified on Wednesday, disrupting court activities and legal processes. The association has warned of further actions, urging judicial support for their demonstration.
The strike follows allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, who is reportedly under investigation after a substantial amount of cash was allegedly recovered from his residence. His transfer to the Allahabad High Court has sparked outrage among lawyers, who view the move as an attempt to shield him from scrutiny or as an undue burden on the court’s reputation. The AHCBA has made it clear that their protest is not just about the transfer but also about maintaining judicial integrity and transparency.
In a strong move to enforce the strike, the AHCBA announced the suspension of membership for lawyers who ignored the protest and appeared in court. According to AHCBA Secretary Vikrant Pandey, legal professionals who violated the association’s directive have been served with immediate suspensions. A show-cause notice has also been issued to them, demanding an explanation within two days. If they fail to respond, their membership will be permanently terminated, and the association will request the high court to cancel their advocate registrations.
Puneet Kumar Shukla, Joint Secretary (Press) of the AHCBA, stated that the strike has resulted in the closure of the affidavit centre, further affecting legal services at the court. The association’s office-bearers have also reached out to the judiciary, seeking their support in opposing the transfer. The lawyers’ body insists that their demonstration is in the interest of preserving the credibility of the judiciary and ensuring that no legal professional with questionable integrity is transferred to their court.
Despite the disruptions, the AHCBA remains firm in its decision to extend the protest, with no signs of calling it off until their concerns are addressed. Legal proceedings at the high court continue to face delays, affecting numerous cases and litigants. As the situation unfolds, the pressure on the judiciary to intervene and resolve the standoff is mounting, with stakeholders from both sides closely monitoring developments.
