Supreme Court Collegium recommends repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma to Allahabad High Court
The Supreme Court Collegium said on 24 March 2025 that it had recommended the repatriation of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court, amid the cash-discovery row.
Summary
The Supreme Court Collegium said in a statement on 24 March 2025 that, at its meetings on 20 and 24 March, it had recommended the repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court to his parent High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The move followed reports that burnt currency was found at his official residence in New Delhi during a fire on 14 March. The same day, Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya withdrew judicial work from Justice Varma with immediate effect. The Supreme Court had said on 21 March that the transfer proposal was separate from the in-house inquiry. High Court judges are transferred by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India under Article 222(1) of the Constitution.
Key facts
- Statement
- 24 March 2025, Supreme Court Collegium
- Meetings
- 20 and 24 March 2025
- Recommendation
- Repatriate Justice Yashwant Varma from Delhi HC to Allahabad HC
- Same day
- Delhi HC withdrew his judicial work
- Trigger
- Cash reportedly found during fire at his residence, 14 March
- Constitution
- Article 222(1): transfer of HC judges
Practice MCQs 4 questions
To which High Court did the Supreme Court Collegium recommend repatriating Justice Yashwant Varma on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Allahabad High Court
The Collegium recommended repatriating Justice Varma from the Delhi High Court to his parent High Court of Judicature at Allahabad.
What action did the Delhi High Court take regarding Justice Yashwant Varma on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Withdrew his judicial work with immediate effect
Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya withdrew judicial work from Justice Varma with immediate effect till further orders.
At meetings on which dates did the Supreme Court Collegium decide to recommend Justice Yashwant Varma's repatriation, as per its 24 March 2025 statement?
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Correct answer: B — 20 and 24 March
The Collegium statement said the recommendation was made at its meetings held on 20 and 24 March 2025.
Consider the following statements about the transfer of High Court judges in India: 1. Under Article 222(1) of the Constitution, the President may transfer a High Court judge after consultation with the Chief Justice of India. 2. The Supreme Court said the proposal to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma was part of its in-house inquiry procedure. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Article 222(1) empowers the President, after consultation with the CJI, to transfer a High Court judge; Justice Varma's transfer was later notified under it. The Supreme Court's 21 March press note said the transfer proposal was independent of and separate from the in-house inquiry.