SC to pick retd judges for HC

The Supreme Court upheld on Friday the appointment of two district judges as High Court judges even after they retired in 2016.

With this, the apex court has indicated that retired lower court judges can be appointed as High Court judges, a move that may greatly ease the burden on the judiciary.

The court expressed concern over delays in appointing judges and a huge number of vacancies, hitting out at the higher judiciary and the Centre, accusing them of not clearing names despite the Collegium's go-ahead.

The court said that it was in favour of definite timelines to make judicial appointments a time-bound process in the interest of judiciary.

The court said inordinate delays were unjust since they kept the fate of those who approached courts in limbo for many years.