Citing judicial and administrative reasons, the Kerala High Court has asked the State government to withdraw its decision to appoint retired district judges to head the upcoming 28 fast-track courts.

The Registrar General of the Kerala High Court is learnt to have written to the State Home Secretary seeking to revoke the government order and to leave the responsibility of appointing the judicial officers to the High Court. A few years ago, the High Court had turned down a similar proposal from the State government.

Rashtra News had earlier reported that protest was brewing among the judicial officers against the government decision.

The Registry of the High Court has reportedly pointed out to the government that there would be less administrative and supervisory control of the High Court over the retired judges, which could leave an impact on the quality of the justice delivered through the courts. It also expressed doubts whether the retired judges would be able to meet the Supreme Court-fixed target of clearing at least 15 cases a month, government sources said.

Purpose of training

During their term in office, the judicial officers will be offered various training programmes in Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and related legislations. While the training will be beneficial to the in-service officers, it would be a wastage of resources to train the retired hands whose tenure would end in two years, the Registry is understood to have pointed out.

Judicial officers to meet CM

The office-bearers of the Kerala Judicial Officers Association will meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday seeking to recall the government order. The association is of the view that the government decision would go against the spirit of the Constitution besides affecting the career prospects of judicial officers. The association leaders had earlier met the Registry expressing their anguish over the developments.

Incidentally, the High Court had recently completed the suitability tests for 12 sub-judges and chief judicial magistrates to be considered for promotion as district judges. The evaluation of the performance of another 18 judges is under way. Besides the 28 anticipated vacancies, around 20 other posts of district judges are lying vacant.