New Delhi: Indira Jaising, senior advocate and noted human rights lawyer, and Pinky Anand, senior advocate and former Additional Solicitor General of India, were both in agreement on increasing the retirement age of sitting judges even as they differed on post-retirement activities of judges as they discussed "Judicial autonomy | Independence and Institutions: The Strongest Link in the Democratic Chain' at ABP Network's Ideas Of India Summit in Mumbai Saturday.
Pinky Anand was of opinion that judges appointed to various commissions, tribunals or as a governor or nominated to the upper house of Parliament comes "automatically" as their experience is required and is vital for the functioning of such institutions.
"It flows automatically for judges to be a political appointee after they retire. You require people of imminence at such posts like governor... There is no harm in any way to hiring them (judges) for their services. Their experience is desirable," Pinky Anand said.
Anand did mention a requirement to increase the retirement age of judges in the high court and the Supreme Court. She said the acquired wisdom needs longevity or there should be some parity in the retirement age of HC and SC judges.
Agreeing to Anand's point, Indira Jaisingh said that instead of appointing judges to various posts after retirement they should be made part of it during their tenure.
"Sitting judges can be appointed for committees and other posts where a judicial intake is required. It ends the post-retirement lure for judges. So this was the judicial minds can be used and will also make them more independent. Post-retirement benefits should not dangle in front of a judge while making choices during their tenure,"Jaisingh said.
Challenges For Women In Court - 'Pushy Woman'
ABP Ideas of India's session on judicial autonomy was chaired by Gul Panag, who put forth a question about challenges women face in courtrooms and in the judiciary towards both the panellists.
Indira Jaisingh said when a woman speaks her mind she is termed as “aggressive” whereas a man for not speaking their mind is praised for his wisdom. She said as a female advocate one has to understand that a lot of time hostility directed towards the client is also directed towards you.
"In my case has been a mixed case for me... The hostility directed towards is bias and it can be in many forms," she explained.
Pinky Anand addressing women being "pushy" in courtrooms was of opinion that you have to follow for what you believe in.
"I have been fortunate but you do have to be pushy, aggressive… Let us not be bogged down or be burdened by it. Believe in what you do believe in and we have to do what we have to do," she said.
WATCH | ABP Ideas Of India, Day 2 LIVE
ABP Network’s two-day 'Wild Stone presents Ideas of India' Summit brings thought leaders from various fields — culture, sports and cinema to technology, business and politics — to talk about the journey of India so far.