The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticised the Madhya Pradesh High Court for the termination of women civil judges, highlighting that there is a lack of understanding on the physical as well as mental challenges they face.A Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh condemned the approach, stating that the case disposal rate should not be used as a measure when the judges were suffering.The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance in January this year of the termination of six judges by the Madhya Pradesh government in June 2023.”It is very easy to say ‘dismissed-dismissed’ and go home. Even we are hearing this matter at length; can lawyers say we are slow? Particularly for women, if they are suffering physically and mentally, do not say they are slow and send them home. Let there be same criteria for male judges and judicial officers, we will see then, and we know what happens. How can you have target units (of case disposal) for district judiciary?” Justice Nagarathna remarked today.The matter will now be revisited on December 12. The MP High Court orders were passed based on unsatisfactory performance during their probation period.Meanwhile, the top court had previously urged the State Court in July to reconsider the decisions and re-examine the representations of the affected judges.Senior Advocate Gaurav Agrawal served as the Amicus Curiae in the matter. Senior Advocates Indira Jaising and R Basant appeared for the judges. Advocate Arjun Garg appeared for the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Source link
