Retired High Court Judges Deserve Dignified Life, Not Meagre Compensation: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Monday expressed strong disapproval of the inadequate monetary compensation provided to retired chief justices and judges of high courts, noting that the amounts vary significantly from state to state. The court directed the Union government to form a committee to establish uniform, nationwide guidelines for post-retirement benefits.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, was hearing a challenge by the Uttar Pradesh government against an interim order of the Allahabad High Court. The High Court had directed the state to provide security and other facilities to retired judges, even though it currently pays them Rs 65,000 and Rs 60,000 respectively for security, a driver, domestic help, secretarial services, and telephone and internet expenses.
The bench remarked that high court judges hold constitutional posts and decide sensitive matters, making their security concerns genuine. "Post-retirement, the judges need basic minimum facilities to lead a dignified life. Can Rs 60,000 provide all these services? We all know how much one needs to pay to employ a driver and a domestic help," the CJI-led bench observed.
Noticing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in the courtroom, the bench asked him to urge the Centre to constitute a committee within two weeks. This committee will determine the basic minimum security and services that every state must provide to retired high court chief justices and judges, ensuring they can lead a dignified life. "We are not talking of a luxurious life, but a dignified life," the CJI emphasised.
Mehta assured the court that such a panel would be constituted within two weeks as requested. The bench specified that the committee should study the issues faced by retired high court judges and submit its recommendations within three months, outlining fundamental guidelines on the states' obligations to provide facilities to judges post-retirement.
