The Supreme Court, on Monday, refused to entertain a PIL seeking its direction to Centre to increase retirement age of judges of trial courts, High Courts and Supreme Court saying that it is for the government to take a decision.
A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said that the court cannot pass any such direction and asked the petitioner, a Supreme Court lawyer, to approach the government on the issue.
"We can convey our thanks to you for taking our cause but we cannot issue direction on it. It is not a matter of court to issue direction. If it attracts the government then let them do it," the bench said.
"Why don't you approach the government. As far as Supreme Court and High Courts are concerned, Constitutional amendment will be required. Let the government decide on the issue," the bench said.
The petitioner RK Kapoor pleaded that the superannuation age of trial court judges be increased from 60 to 62 years and for the High Court judges retirement age be fixed at 65 against present 62 years. He pleaded that the retirement age of Supreme Court judges be increased from 65 to 67 years.
The bench, however, said that it is for the government to take a decision and the court cannot pass order on such issues.
"Our executive is aware about it," the bench said when it was submitted that a bill has been introduced in Parliament to increase the retirement age of High Court judges from 62 to 65 years.
Kapoor submitted that government should increase the retirement age for judges for all courts to maintain a balance. He said that increasing the age of retirement for only High Court judges would disturb the balance among judges.
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