Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Retirement of judges

Sir, — This refers to K. Subramanian's article `Retirement of judges' (Aug. 19). In India, we do have speedy justice. What we lack is the "speedy disposal" of justice. Instead of raising the retirement age, we should introduce equipment such as the `Stenograph' machine. As the judge pronounces his verdict, the operator of the machine feeds the input. The judgment entered into the system is displayed on a computer monitor. This gives the judge time to edit the output at the display stage itself before signing his verdict, thus saving a lot of time. This machine, it appears, has not been given a fair trial by the Central Government.

It is understood that there was a proposal to install `Voice Mail Recorders' in the Supreme Court. The plan was given up when it was found that the system failed to understand certain Latin terms such as `res judicata', which form part of judges' pronouncements. Under the circumstances, the `Stenograph' machine may be given a fair try.

M. Nagasubramanian,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — While 58 and 60 have been prescribed for retirement in many governmental and non- governmental positions, why should judges alone get favourable treatment? The beefed-up emoluments and retirement benefits of judges have not served the purpose of keeping them honest and free from corruption.

A certain bench of the High Court passes an order setting aside the decision of a single judge. Another bench in which the same single judge finds a place has no right to hear the case. But it has become a normal occurrence. A single judge delivering a judgment sits in the bench and hears the appeal too defeating the very purpose of appellate jurisdiction.

Valampuri John,
Chennai

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