District Judges entitled to benefit of past service rendered by them as Fast Track Judges, SC

The Supreme Court today ruled that District Judges will be entitled to benefits of past service rendered by them as Fast Track Judges for ascertaining their pensionary and other benefits..The judgment was rendered by a Bench of Justices Jasti Chelameswar and Sanjay Kishan Kaul..Senior Advocates Sajan Poovayya, Amrendra Sharan, and Advocate Balaji Srinivasan appeared for the appellants..The appellants initially joined the service as Fast Track Judges. The same was challenged by certain members of the subordinate judiciary but the same was eventually upheld by the Supreme Court..The Supreme Court also directed for the appointment of the petitioners in the manner laid down in Brij Mohan Lal v Union of India..In compliance with the order passed by the Supreme Court, the appellants were appointed District Judges..After the appointment of the petitioners, they were refused to withdraw salary under their earlier G.P.F. Number by stating that their earlier services as Fast Track Judges will not be considered. The petitioners were also denied other benefits like leave encashment and T.A..The petitioners preferred a writ petition before the Jharkhand High Court..The issue which fell for consideration before the High Court was, whether the past services of the petitioners who have been appointed in terms of the judgment of Brij Mohan Lal-II shall be taken into consideration for their pensionary and other benefits..The High Court ruled against the petitioners/appellants whereupon they appealed to the Supreme Court..The Supreme Court today allowed the appeals and held that past service as fast-track judges should be taken into consideration for determination of pensionary and other benefits except for determining seniority..Read the judgment below.