Did the SC Collegium Approve Ad Hoc Judges for Allahabad HC?
Synopsis
The Supreme Court Collegium has taken a significant step by appointing five retired judges as ad hoc judges for the Allahabad High Court, a move aimed at addressing case backlogs. This decision is crucial for maintaining judicial efficiency and will allow retired judges to contribute their expertise.
Key Takeaways
Supreme Court Collegium approved the appointment of five retired judges.
Judges will serve as ad hoc judges for a term of two years.
Appointment aims to address case backlog and vacancies in the Allahabad High Court.
Article 224A facilitates the appointment of retired judges.
Judges will primarily serve in criminal benches .
New Delhi, Feb 3 (NationPress) The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, has officially sanctioned the appointment of five retired judges as ad hoc judges for the Allahabad High Court for a span of two years, as stipulated under Article 224A of the Constitution.
“During its meeting on 3rd February 2026, the Supreme Court Collegium has endorsed the proposal for the appointment of the following retired judges as ad hoc judges at the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad in accordance with Article 224-A of the Constitution of India, for a duration of two years,” stated a notice posted on the apex court's website.
The Collegium has approved the appointments of Justices Mohd. Faiz Alam Khan, Mohd. Aslam, Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi, Renu Agarwal, and Jyotsna Sharma.
Article 224A allows the Chief Justice of a High Court, with the prior consent of the President, to appoint retired judges as ad hoc judges when there is an insufficient number of judges in a particular High Court, especially to tackle high levels of case backlog or vacancies. In January of the previous year, the Supreme Court adjusted its previous directives regarding the appointment of ad hoc judges under Article 224A.
A special bench had eased the requirement that at least 80 percent of the sanctioned strength must be operational or suggested before making ad hoc appointments, while limiting the number of ad hoc judges to 10 percent of the sanctioned strength of the High Court.
The apex court highlighted that these judges would primarily be assigned to criminal benches and that the existing Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) would govern their appointments.
In December of the previous year, the apex court further adjusted its January 2025 ruling, granting High Court Chief Justices more latitude in configuring division benches that include ad hoc judges appointed under Article 224A.
It determined that a High Court Chief Justice has the authority to form benches consisting of two ad hoc judges or a mix of one sitting judge and one ad hoc judge, and also has the discretion to decide which judge presides over such benches.
Point of View
We recognize the importance of the Supreme Court Collegium's decision to appoint retired judges as ad hoc judges. This move not only aims to address the pressing issue of case backlogs but also underscores the importance of experienced judges in maintaining the integrity of our judicial system. It reflects a proactive approach towards enhancing the efficiency of the judiciary, which is crucial for upholding justice in our nation.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Article 224A?
Article 224A of the Constitution empowers the Chief Justice of a High Court to appoint retired judges as ad hoc judges to handle cases when there is a shortage of available judges.
Who are the judges appointed as ad hoc judges?
The judges appointed include Justices Mohd. Faiz Alam Khan, Mohd. Aslam, Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi, Renu Agarwal, and Jyotsna Sharma.
How long will the ad hoc judges serve?
The ad hoc judges will serve for a period of two years.
What prompted the appointment of ad hoc judges?
The appointment was prompted by the need to address high case pendency and vacancies in the Allahabad High Court.
How does this impact the judicial process?
This move is expected to enhance judicial efficiency and reduce the backlog of cases, thereby facilitating quicker resolutions.
