Supreme Court Collegium Clears Appointment of Five Retired Judges as Ad Hoc Judges in Allahabad High Court

In a move aimed at easing mounting case pendency, the Supreme Court of India Collegium has decided to invoke Article 224A of the Constitution to strengthen the Allahabad High Court by appointing five retired judges as ad hoc judges.

The decision was taken at the Collegium meeting held on February 3. The Collegium approved the proposal to appoint Justice Mohd. Faiz Alam Khan, Justice Mohd. Aslam, Justice Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi, Justice Renu Agarwal, and Justice Jyotsna Sharma. All five have been recommended to serve on the Allahabad High Court for a period of two years.

Article 224A allows the Chief Justice of a High Court, with the consent of the President of India, to request retired judges of the Supreme Court or High Courts to temporarily sit and function as judges. The provision is generally used to address judicial vacancies and reduce delays arising from excessive workload.

The decision also follows recent refinements made by the Supreme Court to the guidelines governing the appointment of ad hoc judges. Under the revised framework, Chief Justices of High Courts have been given greater flexibility in constituting benches, including permitting ad hoc judges to sit independently, together, or alongside serving judges.

The Allahabad High Court, among the busiest courts in the country, continues to face an acute shortage of judges. The induction of experienced former judges is expected to provide immediate relief and help accelerate case disposal while regular judicial appointments are processed.