New Delhi, Aug 6:.
Observing that states cannot cite financial burden to oppose raising the retirement age of judicial officers, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked state governments to revisit the issue of enhancing the age of superannuation of judges and decide within two weeks.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said concerns of financial burden are “misconceived”.
“We impress upon all the state governments to revisit the issue of enhancement of the age of retirement of judicial officers, irrespective of the age of superannuation prescribed for other government employees,” the bench said.
The top court said retaining experienced judicial officers may impose a lesser financial liability than retiring them and filling the resulting vacancies.
“We have no reason to doubt that the continuation of experienced and seasoned judicial officers would entail a lesser financial liability than what the State would incur upon their retirement.
“The reasons assigned by the State governments for declining to enhance the age of retirement are, therefore, untenable. However, we are of the considered opinion that the larger issue should be resolved through