Overview
- The order allows district judicial officers in Madhya Pradesh to continue in service until 61 pending the case’s outcome.
- A bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai questioned the MP High Court’s objection since the state government signalled it would bear the added salary cost.
- The court drew on a 2022 Telangana High Court decision that extended district judges’ superannuation to 61 as a persuasive comparator.
- Noting parity concerns, the bench recorded that other state employees retire at 62 and that high court judges retire at 62, leaving district judges one year lower.
- The plea was posted for final hearing in four weeks, and the CJI remarked in court about elevation incentives linked to differing retirement ages.