Writing verdict after retirement unconstitutional
Observes Chief Justice
Chief Justice (CJ) Surendra Kumar Sinha observed that writing copies of verdict after retirement is unconstitutional. Some judges make abnormal delay in writing copies of verdict. And some judges continue to write copies of the verdict for a long period even after their retirement which is unlawful and unconstitutional, the Chief Justice observed in a message marking the first anniversary of his taking oath of the office yesterday. The message was posted on the SC website.
The judges of the Supreme Court take oath to protect and to guard the constitution and laws of the country. But after retirement, a judge is considered as a common man, and the oath he or she took becomes ineffective, the CJ said detailing his observation. The document of the court is public document. The judges lose the right to keep the public document under their custody, and to prepare the verdict copy and to put their signature on it after their retirement. I hope that keeping full respect to the law the judges would refrain from doing such unlawful work in future, the CJ said in the message. Terming the media as the forth pillar of the state, the CJ Sinha said the media highlight the contribution of the judiciary to establish the rule of law and to ensure justice for all. In the last one year, media have played an important role in creating awareness among people about the goals and objectives of judiciary, the CJ pointed out. The CJ Sinha also said after taking oath as the Chief Justice, he has been trying his level best to reduce backlog of cases. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court disposed of a total of 9,356 cases from January 15 to November 30 in 2015. The trial courts have disposed of a total of 10, 67,733 cases from January to September last year, the CJ said.
