Bar Councils And Associations Seek 'Immediate' Constitutional Amendment To Enhance Retirement Age Of Judges

The Bar Councils of the country have come to a unanimous decision to seek a constitutional amendment for enhancement of the retirement age of Judges.

In a meeting of all the state Bar Councils, office bearers of High Court Bar Associations and the Bar Council of India (BCI) held last week discussed the issue relating to the enhancement of the age of superannuation of the Judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

"The same was thoroughly considered; and after consideration, the meeting unanimously came to a conclusion that there should be immediate amendment in the Constitution and the retirement age of Judges of the High Court should be enhanced from 62 to 65 years and the age of superannuation of the Judges of Supreme Court should be enhanced to 67 years," a press release by the BCI said. 

The joint meeting also resolved to propose to the Parliament to consider amending various Statutes so that even experienced Advocates could be appointed as the Chairpersons of various commissions and other forums.

The meeting also decided to communicate the resolution to the Prime Minister and the Union Law Minister for immediate action.

Presently, trial court judicial officers retire at the age of 60 while High Court and Supreme Court Judges superannuate at the age of 62 and 65 years respectively.

In April this year, Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju had said that the issue of enhancing the retirement age of judges of the higher judiciary should be comprehensively considered along with measures to ensure transparency and accountability in making appointments to the higher judiciary.

"It would also be appropriate if the increase in retirement age is comprehensively considered along with other measures to ensure transparency and accountability in making of appointments to the Higher Judiciary", Rijiju had said in his letter addressed to Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson.