In recent news, the Supreme Court has observed that the salary hike of high court judges must reflect on district judges in the same proportion. The relevant acts governing the salaries and allowances of High Court and District Judges are the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954, and the District Judges (Appointment, Salaries, and Conditions of Service) Act, 1970.
The President of India determines the salaries and allowances for both the High Court and District Judges in accordance with the Acts’ provisions. The Supreme Court has held that it is important to maintain parity between the salaries of high court and district judges in order to prevent any sort of discrimination between them.
The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in this matter arises from its power to interpret the Constitution of India and ensure that all authorities, including the executive, adhere to the provisions of the law.
Therefore, any challenge to the increase in the salaries of High Court Judges without a corresponding increase in the salaries of District Judges can be brought before the Supreme Court of India.
