The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has amended its earlier orders regarding the reimbursement of expenses for reading spectacles, Naturopathy/Ayurvedic treatment, and telephone charges for sitting and former Chief Justices and Judges. The amendment aligns with the directives issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order dated February 18, 2025, in Contempt Petition (C) No. 415-426/2015 in WP (C) No. 523/2002, titled Justice V.S. Dave, President, The Association of Retired Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts Vs Kusumjit Sidhu & Ors.
Accordingly, Sub-Clause (iii) of High Court Order No. 20224-30/GS, read with Order No. 913 dated January 3, 2012, has been revised as follows:
“The former Chief Justices/Judges, as well as the spouses of late Chief Justices/Judges, shall be entitled to a monthly payment of ₹15,000 towards expenses for rental and calls of mobile and/or landline, internet service, secretarial services, and security service. This amount shall be subject to an annual increment of 5%. However, this facility will not be extended to retired Chief Justices or Judges, or their spouses, if they have accepted an assignment that already provides them with similar benefits during the tenure of such an assignment.”
This amendment ensures a structured financial provision for former judges and their spouses while preventing duplication of benefits for those engaged in new assignments with similar entitlements.
The High Court’s decision is seen as a significant step in implementing the Supreme Court’s directives and standardizing post-retirement benefits for the judiciary.
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