"A victory for the people": Allahabad HC Bar president hails impeachment move against Justice Yashwant Varma

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 28 (ANI): Allahabad High Court Bar Association President Anil Tiwari on Wednesday hailed the Union Government's reported move to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma over the alleged recovery of money from his residence, calling it a "victory for the public."
Tiwari said that the motion reinforces public trust in the judiciary.
"This is the victory of the public at large as the trust of the public is the foundation of the power of the Judiciary...Because of this motion, the public will feel that the former CJI and the government have heard their voice," Tiwari told ANI, reacting to the reports that the Centre is moving an impeachment motion against Justice Varma.
"It is a step towards the victory of the public and the cause...I appeal to all the political parties to vote in favour of the impeachment," he added.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea seeking the registration of an FIR against Justice Yashwant Varma over the allegations.
A bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka suggested that the petitioner, Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, should first file a representation to the Prime Minister and the President of India before approaching the Supreme Court.
"File representation before those authorities first calling them to take action, then file writ seeking mandamus", the bench stated before dismissing the plea.
The Court noted that, according to a press release issued by the Supreme Court on May 8, the in-house inquiry committee has submitted its report, which has since been forwarded to the Prime Minister and the President of India.
The Court was not inclined to consider the submissions in the plea, as it was of the view that the matter had already been initiated as per the official procedure.
"You don't know the contents of the report (inquiry committee report), even we don't know. The CJI has sent the report to the Prime Minister and President", Justice Oka stated.
The Court thus suggested that the counsel file a representation before those aforesaid authorities first, before moving a petition in the Supreme Court seeking directions.
On May 4, a panel of judges tasked with conducting an internal inquiry into allegations of cash being discovered at Justice Yashwant Varma's official residence submitted its report to the then Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna. (ANI)