Nearly a year after SC order, retired HC judges still waiting to get ad-hoc benches

NEARLY a year after the Supreme Court cleared the decks for appointing ad hoc judges in high courts to tackle pending criminal cases, the Union law ministry is yet to get any recommendation from any of the HC collegiums to appoint retired judges on an ad hoc basis.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi

According to sources, none of the 25 HCs have recommended names for appointment as ad hoc judges.

On January 30, 2025, the SC allowed the HCs to appoint ad hoc judges, not exceeding 10% of the court's total sanctioned strength, keeping in view the pendency of over 18 lakh criminal cases. However, the law ministry is yet to get recommendations from HC collegiums. Article 224A of the Constitution of India allows the appointment of retired judges as ad hoc judges in state high courts to help manage case backlog.