New Delhi, October 26: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed satisfaction that 14 states had agreed to increase the retirement age of district judicial officers from 60 to 62 years.
The court was considering a petition seeking a uniform retirement age for the district judiciary across the country. It also asked the remaining states and Union territories concerned to reconsider their position on the proposal.
During the proceedings, senior advocate Ranjit Kumar sought an urgent hearing, pointing out that judicial officers were retiring every day. The bench, however, declined to urgently list separate petitions from officers nearing retirement or those who had recently retired.
The court said the main matter was already listed and that the issue required engagement between the Supreme Court and state governments. It expressed hope that more states would agree to the proposed increase.
In earlier proceedings, the court had directed seven consenting states to amend their judicial service rules, preferably within two months. The extension of service would remain subject to an assessment of each officer’s suitability by the High Court concerned.
