NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed grave concern over the pittance of pension — between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000— received by retired HC judges, who were appointed as HC judges after spending their entire life in the district judiciary.
These concerns were expressed by a bench of CJI D Y Chandrachud, and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra after amicus curiae K Parameshwar sought early resolution of the issues relating to pensions of district judges, who get appointed as HC judges.The amicus had been advocating upward revision of the pension commensurate with the dignity of district judges.
With both attorney general R Venkataramani and solicitor general Tushar Mehta present before the bench, CJI Chandrachud made an impassioned request to the top law officers to use their good offices for a satisfactory resolution of the vexed issue.
When the AG said the govt needed some time to ponder over the issue which has multiple dimensions including huge financial burden, the CJI said, “I see your predicament. But look at the persons from district judiciary who after being appointed as HC judges have a tenure of less than four to five years. They get a pension of Rs 15-25,000. Their tenure in the district judiciary is not counted. We have a slew of petitions by such retired HC judges.”
“To get a pension of Rs 15-25,000 after spending the entire life in the judiciary is no social security for them. Look at the profile of such retired HC judges. They, except a few who can be counted on fingertips, do not return to practice nor do arbitration work after retirement. My earnest appeal to both of you (AG and SG) to sit down with the concerned officials (of the ministry) and examine the issue to arrive at a reasonable solution,” the CJI said.
Though the AG reiterated that the issue involves multiple aspects, the SG said he and the AG would surely examine the issues involved regarding the pension. The CJI said, “We do understand the financial implications. But as the Supreme Court, we must also discharge our duties as the guardian of the judiciary,” he said and posted the matter for hearing on Aug 27.
These concerns were expressed by a bench of CJI D Y Chandrachud, and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra after amicus curiae K Parameshwar sought early resolution of the issues relating to pensions of district judges, who get appointed as HC judges.The amicus had been advocating upward revision of the pension commensurate with the dignity of district judges.
With both attorney general R Venkataramani and solicitor general Tushar Mehta present before the bench, CJI Chandrachud made an impassioned request to the top law officers to use their good offices for a satisfactory resolution of the vexed issue.
When the AG said the govt needed some time to ponder over the issue which has multiple dimensions including huge financial burden, the CJI said, “I see your predicament. But look at the persons from district judiciary who after being appointed as HC judges have a tenure of less than four to five years. They get a pension of Rs 15-25,000. Their tenure in the district judiciary is not counted. We have a slew of petitions by such retired HC judges.”
“To get a pension of Rs 15-25,000 after spending the entire life in the judiciary is no social security for them. Look at the profile of such retired HC judges. They, except a few who can be counted on fingertips, do not return to practice nor do arbitration work after retirement. My earnest appeal to both of you (AG and SG) to sit down with the concerned officials (of the ministry) and examine the issue to arrive at a reasonable solution,” the CJI said.
Though the AG reiterated that the issue involves multiple aspects, the SG said he and the AG would surely examine the issues involved regarding the pension. The CJI said, “We do understand the financial implications. But as the Supreme Court, we must also discharge our duties as the guardian of the judiciary,” he said and posted the matter for hearing on Aug 27.
