Addl judge gets extension on day his term was to end

On the day his term as an additional judge was to end, Justice Ramendra Jain was today granted a six-month extension after the Supreme Court collegium reiterated its recommendation to the government.

The government had recently returned the recommendation of Justice Jain's elevation as a permanent judge and had suggested that he be transferred out of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In its resolution passed on April 17, the collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, reiterated its recommendation to elevate Justice Jain as a permanent judge.

It said the government should move fast as the term of Jain as an additional judge was ending on April 19, which is today.

"We do not see any good ground for linking the proposal of transfer of Justice Jain with the proposal for his appointment as permanent judge and even for revisiting, at this crucial juncture... decision dated March 26, 2018 for his appointment as permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court," the collegium had said.

Its fresh recommendation was uploaded on the website of the Supreme Court.

A notification issued by the Law Ministry today said Justice Jain is being appointed as an additional judge for a period of six month with effect from April 20.

By reappointing him as an additional judge the government has ensured that his judicial career continues. But at the same time, it has stuck to its stand of not elevating him without sending him out of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Usually, additional judges are appointed for a period of two years, following which most are elevated as permanent judges. The judicial career of those who are not elevated ends.