The Bombay High Court has ruled in favor of former additional judge Pushpa V. Ganediwala, granting her pensionary benefits after they were initially denied.
Ganediwala, who opted for voluntary retirement in 2022, took legal action after being informed she was ineligible for a pension comparable to High Court judges. A bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre has now overturned that decision, affirming her right to benefits effective from February 14, 2022, and directing implementation within two months.
Ganediwala’s tenure on the bench was marked by controversy, particularly her interpretations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Her rulings, including the widely criticized “skin-to-skin” verdict, led the Supreme Court Collegium to withdraw its recommendation for her permanent appointment. Despite her resignation following this decision, she contended that her combined judicial service, including over a decade as a district judge, entitled her to pensionary benefits.
Represented by a team of senior advocates, Ganediwala successfully argued her case, challenging the denial of pension by the High Court registry. The ruling now ensures she receives the benefits she claimed, closing a legal battle that stemmed from one of the judiciary’s most debated exits in recent years.