Raise Retirement Age Of Judges Of Supreme Court & High Courts : Bar Councils Pass Joint Resolution

The Bar Council of India has recently ussued a press release in which, the Council has, after holding joint meeting with the State Bar Councils and Office Bearers of the High Court Bar Associations, come to a conclusion that the age superannuation of the judges be increased.

The Council has stated in the Press Release that, "after consideration, the meeting unanimously came to a conclusion that there should be immediate amendment in the Constitution and the retirement age of the Judges of the High Court should be enhanced from 62 to 65 years and the age of superannuation of the Judges of the Supreme Court should be enhanced to 67 years." The Press Release also stated that the meeting had resolved to propose to the Parliament to consider amending various Statutes so that experienced advocates could be appointed as Chairpersons of various commissions and forums.

In April this year the former Chief Justice of India N. V. Ramana had while responding to query made during online conversation on Comparative Constitutional Law stated that, "…I think 65 years is too early an age for someone to retire…".  Attorney General K. K. Venugopal has publicly voiced his support on it on various occasions.

It was also recommended in 2002 in Justice Venkatachaliah Report (Report of National Commission to review the working of the Constitution) which recommended that the age of retirement of the judges of High Court and the Supreme Court should be increased to 65 and 68 respectively. India is one of the few countries where judges retire at a younger age, in United States a judge of the Supreme Court holds office till his death, in countries like Norway, Australia, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, the prescribed retirement age is 70 years in Germany, the retirement age is 68 and in Canada, the retirement age is 75 years.