August 2022 | Embarking upon a new era of extending post-retirement benefits, the Union Law Ministry of the Indian government has taken a significant stride in elevating the service provisions for retired Chief Justices of India (CJIs) and Supreme Court judges. Unveiling its novel initiative, the Department of Justice issued a fresh notification on Friday, announcing a diverse array of benefits that will significantly enhance the quality of life for these esteemed individuals post-retirement.

Notably, these advantages will also extend to all existing former CJIs and retired Supreme Court judges, marking an important turning point in how our society values and respects these key contributors to our legal framework.

The freshly minted modifications to the Supreme Court Judges Rules introduce a series of privileges to retired CJIs, the most notable among them being entitlement to domestic help, a chauffeur, and a secretarial assistant for life, commencing from their date of retirement. Coupled with this, they will also be provided with 24/7 security coverage at their residence, and a personal security guard at their disposal round-the-clock for five years post-retirement.

Meanwhile, retired Supreme Court judges will also be granted similar privileges such as a domestic help, a chauffeur, and round-the-clock security at their residences, though the provision of a personal security guard is limited to a three-year period post-retirement. In the case of a retired CJI or Supreme Court judge already enjoying higher-grade security due to threat perception, the elevated level of protection will be maintained.

Furthermore, the government is extending the courtesy of a rent-free Type-VII accommodation in Delhi for six months following their retirement. A Type-VII accommodation is a privilege usually reserved for sitting MPs who have previously held ministerial positions.

A significant milestone was reached earlier this month when the ceremonial lounge facility at airports, a perk generally associated with high-ranking officials, was also extended to retired CJIs and Supreme Court judges. High court judges were not left out in this largesse, as the High Court Judges Rules were amended to allow them to also avail of the VIP lounge facility.

Perhaps, an interesting addendum to these privileges is that a retired CJI or a Supreme Court judge will also be entitled to a residential telephone free of cost, along with a reimbursement cap of Rs 4,200 per month, plus taxes, for telephone call charges of residential telephone, mobile phone, broadband, mobile data, or data card expenses.

However, these post-retirement perks are conditional and apply only if the retired CJIs or judges do not avail of such facilities from any High Court or any other government body in case they undertake any assignment post-retirement. The expenses for domestic help, chauffeur, secretarial assistant, and telephone reimbursements will be principally covered by the Supreme Court or a high court establishment.

It's worth noting that previously, retired CJIs and Supreme Court judges received monetary compensation to avail services such as guards, domestic helps, and chauffeurs. This amount will now be discontinued, and a retired CJI, who was entitled to Rs 70,000 per month, along with retired Supreme Court judges who received Rs 39,000 per month, will now receive these services directly rather than the funds to hire them.

It's important to note that the Supreme Court's current sanctioned strength is 34 judges, with an average of three judges retiring annually. Therefore, these new measures present a considerable change in how we honor and respect the contributions of these distinguished individuals after they've demitted their esteemed offices.

The Hypocrisy of the Court: An Ode to the Taxpayer's Plight

Well, dear readers, it appears that life in retirement just got a whole lot comfier for our Supreme Court judges and Chief Justices of India (CJIs). And it's not because they've discovered a secret fountain of youth or unlocked the mystery of eternal happiness. No, it's because the government has decided to sprinkle them with a magical dust of additional post-retirement benefits. Such generosity, isn't it? Let's dive into the details, shall we?

According to a recent notification from the Union Law Ministry, the Supreme Court Judges Rules have been amended yet again. This time, to provide our retired CJIs and Supreme Court judges with a domestic help, a chauffeur, and a secretarial assistant for life from the day they step down from their lofty pedestals.

The cherry on top? Our retired CJIs also get round-the-clock security at their residences and a personal guard 24/7 for five years post-retirement. And don't you worry about the other Supreme Court judges - they get the same security benefits, but only for a measly three years post-retirement. Oh, but if they're already receiving "higher grade" security due to some perceived threat, they can keep enjoying that luxury.

But wait, there's more. A retired CJI is also entitled to live rent-free in a Type-VII accommodation in Delhi for six months post-retirement. For your information, this type of accommodation is typically provided to sitting MPs who have been former Union ministers.

Now, let's talk numbers. It turns out, these post-retirement perks will cost a pretty penny. The expenses for domestic help, chauffeur, secretarial assistant, and telephone reimbursements will be primarily borne by the Supreme Court or a high court establishment. For context, a retired CJI used to receive Rs 70,000 per month, while retired Supreme Court judges received Rs 39,000 per month to cover these costs.

One can't help but wonder: Is this really the best use of our taxpayer money? After all, it's not as if our country is swimming in wealth and has surplus funds to throw around. Why should the common man, struggling to make ends meet, bear the burden of these 'necessary' luxuries for our retired judges?

And why stop at lifetime domestic help and chauffeurs? Perhaps we should also consider throwing in a personal chef, a masseuse, maybe even a butler? After all, why should our esteemed judges have to lift a finger in their golden years?

But here's a thought: shouldn't public servants be just that - servants to the public? Their role, as the name suggests, is to serve the people, not enjoy a life of luxury at the people's expense.

There are about 34 judges in the Supreme Court, and on average, three retire annually. So, if each of them is entitled to these lavish post-retirement benefits, just imagine the colossal amount it would amount to every year. Is this the best way we can use our funds? Are there no other areas of our society that could benefit from such financial support?

In a country where millions still struggle to afford basic necessities, is it justified to spend taxpayers' money on chauffeurs and secretaries for retired judges? Where is the fairness in that?

Is it not the epitome of hypocrisy for the court, the very institution responsible for upholding justice and fairness, to sanction such extravagance at the cost of the taxpayer? Is this what we call justice?

So,dear readers, next time you find yourself breaking a sweat over your tax bills or wondering why certain public facilities are in a state of disrepair, remember this: somewhere in the cozy confines of a Type-VII accommodation, a retired judge is probably enjoying a hot cup of tea, served by their domestic help, while their chauffeur readies the car and their secretary organizes their day - all funded by your hard-earned money.

And they say, justice is blind. Perhaps, it's time for justice to put on its glasses and take a hard look at the mirror. For it appears that in its blindness, justice may have become a tad too self-indulgent.

As always, we welcome your thoughts and opinions on this matter. Because, after all, isn't it you, the taxpayer, who should have the final say on how your money is spent?