The Allahabad High Court has is not a “trash bin”, that court’s Bar Association declared Friday morning, adding another twist to the growing controversy surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma and the recovery of a pile of unaccounted cash – allegedly Rs 15 crore – from his home.

In a letter to the Chief Justice and other judges of the Allahabad High Court, the group opposed Justice Varma’s repatriation, as decided by the Supreme Court Collegium after discovery of the money. The association said it had been “taken aback” by the Collegium’s decision.

“This decision of the Collegium raises a serious question – is the Allahabad High Court a trash bin? This matter becomes important when we examine the current situation… wherein the Allahabad High Court is short of judges… new judges have not appointed for many years.”

The Bar Association also red-flagged the lack of judges in the Allahabad High Court and also questioned, as senior Delhi advocates like Kapil Sibal and Indira Jaising have, the process by which the Collegium appoints new judges.

“It is also of grave concern that while elevating members of the Bar, the Bar was never consulted. Consideration of eligibility appears to be not up to the mark. Something is lacking… which has resulted in corruption and consequently, public’s faith in the judiciary is damaged.”