NEW DELHI, Dec 18: The Supreme Court expressed its dismay on Wednesday regarding the pension amounts received by some retired High Court Judges, which range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
“A legal perspective isn’t always necessary; sometimes compassion is required,” remarked a bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan.
Describing the situation as “pitiable,” the bench highlighted the inadequate pension amounts some retired judges receive.
The bench convened to hear pleas regarding the pension issues faced by retired High Court Judges.
During the proceedings, Attorney General R Venkataramani urged the court to address the matter in January.
Venkataramani informed the bench that the government aims to find a resolution to the issue.
The bench added, “It would be more effective for you to encourage them to avoid our intervention.”
It clarified that any decisions made by the Supreme Court would be applicable uniformly to all High Court judges, not on a case-by-case basis.
The bench scheduled the matter for a follow-up hearing on January 8.
In a previous session last month, the Supreme Court had expressed “shock” at the meager pensions of some retired judges, noting amounts as low as Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000.
This discussion stemmed from a petition by a retired High Court judge receiving a pension of Rs 15,000, who claimed that his prior service as a judicial officer in the district court was not taken into account when calculating his pension.
“It is shocking that retired High Court Judges receive pensions as low as Rs 6,000 and Rs 15,000. How can that be acceptable?” the bench had remarked during the hearing.
In March, while evaluating another related plea, the Supreme Court stated that there should be no discrimination in the pension calculations of retired judges based on whether they were elevated from the bar or the district judiciary.
The court emphasized that the pension of a retired High Court Judge who transitioned from the district judiciary should be calculated based on the last drawn salary as a High Court Judge. (Agencies)
