Justice Yashwant Varma was sworn in as a judge of the Allahabad High Court on Saturday (April 5). The oath was reportedly administered in a private ceremony by Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, triggering criticism from sections of the legal fraternity.

Justice Varma, who was appointed to the bench in 2014, was transferred from the Delhi High Court to his parent High Court in Allahabad following a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium on March 20.

The Union government officially notified the transfer on March 28, days after a judicial panel began probing the incident involving large amounts of Indian currency found charred at his home after a fire on March 14.

Prior to his transfer, Justice Varma was the third most senior judge in the Delhi High Court and a member of its Collegium.

Justice Verma, who is currently under an in-house inquiry following the recovery of semi-burnt currency notes from his residence in Delhi, is currently ranked ninth in seniority in the Allahabad High Court and is slated to serve until January 2031.

Also read: Police Visit Delhi HC Judge’s Residence Amid Cash Discovery Uproar; SC Takes Up FIR Plea

The manner of his oath-taking, however, has sparked discontent among lawyers. The Oudh Bar Association of the High Court criticized what it called the “clandestine manner” in which the ceremony was held, alleging it was not publicly notified.

In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Bhansali, Bar Secretary Vikrant Pandey wrote, “We are given to understand that the system is taking every step in fair and transparent manner, but why this oath is not notified to the Bar is a question which again eroded the trust of people in the judicial system.”

The Bar has also urged that no administrative responsibilities be assigned to Justice Varma while the inquiry is ongoing.

The controversy continues to raise questions about transparency and accountability within the judiciary, as the inquiry into the origin and circumstances surrounding the discovered cash remains underway.