SC takes historic step: Ad hoc Judges appointed under Article 224-A to tackle pendency
04/02/2026
NEW DELHI, Feb 3: In a landmark move aimed at addressing mounting judicial arrears, the Supreme Court of India has approved the appoint-ment of ad hoc judges under Article 224-A of the Constitution, marking a rare and significant use of the constitutional provision.
The decision was taken by the Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on February 3, 2026, wherein it cleared the proposal to appoint five retired judges as ad hoc judges of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad for a period of two years.
The judges appointed are: Justice Mohd. Faiz Alam Khan, Justice Mohd. Aslam, Justice Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi, Justice Renu Agarwal and Justice Jyotsna Sharma.
Article 224-A empowers the Chief Justice of a High Court, with the consent of the President, to request retired High Court judges to sit and act as judges to meet exigencies such as excessive pendency of cases. Despite being part of the Constitution since its inception, the provision has been invoked sparingly, making the present decision historically significant.
Legal experts view the move as a strong signal of judicial resolve to enhance efficiency and reduce delays, particularly in high pendency courts like the Allahabad High Court. The appointments are expected to provide immediate relief by strengthening the judicial workforce without waiting for regular appointments, which often take considerable time.
The decision also aligns with the broader constitutional mandate of ensuring speedy justice, reinforcing the principle that delay undermines public faith in the justice delivery system.
Observers believe this step could serve as a precedent for other High Courts facing similar backlogs, potentially opening a new chapter in pragmatic judicial administration.
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