CJI Surya Kant says reappointing retired judges as ad‑hoc High Court judges risky

The Supreme Court’s top bench — <b>CJI Surya Kant</b>, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohan — halted a proposal to recall retired judges as ad‑hoc judges in High Courts, citing the risk of upsetting the bar. The move exposes a reluctance within the judiciary to tinker with entrenched staffing norms, even when courts face vacancies. Bureaucratic inertia and fear of backlash keep reforms at bay, leaving litigants to shoulder delays. Ultimately, the decision keeps the bench thin, prolonging case backlogs and eroding public confidence in justice.