The Centre’s amended rules allowing lifetime staff for retired Chief Justices of India and Supreme Court judges have become a cause of concern for those among them who chose a quiet retired life in their own villages.
On August 26, the Ministry of Law and Justice amended the Supreme Court Judges Rules to provide chauffeurs and domestic help for former Chief Justices and top court judges for their entire lifetime. Retired CJIs were given the added benefit of secretarial assistants.
Former judges can draw these employees from the Supreme Court or the High Court’s staff pool. The courts would pay their salaries. The pay and allowances would be that of a regular employee of the Supreme Court.
