The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to consider extending the tenure of retiring presiding officers and members of quasi-judicial bodies for a month or so till fresh appointments are made.

 

The move comes after the top court observed that tribunals should not become defunct due to vacancies. However, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was urged by the Centre through Attorney General R Venkataramani that the process for fresh appointments has been set in motion and no such pleas for ad hoc extensions should be considered. 

 

On 8th of this month, the Centre informed the bench that 248 members of different tribunals have been found eligible for extension under the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026 and their services were being extended.