The Home Ministry has provided high-level security to former Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam, who has decided to settle down in his native village of Kadappanallur in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district.
Revealing this during an informal chat with The Hindu on the eve of his departure to his village, Justice Sathasivam said he had earlier written to the outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the need to provide security to retired Supreme Court judges and CJIs who had dealt with terrorism-related cases, regardless of periodic review of threat perception. Justice Sathasivam had given the main verdict in the Mumbai blasts cases.
He said the Prime Minister quickly responded to his letter and promised to consider his request.
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Asked whether he would accept any post befitting his stature if it was offered by the Narendra Modi government, Justice Sathasivam said he would accept any post, including chairperson of Lokpal, provided it was offered unanimously.
Justice Sathasivam said he also pointed out to Dr. Singh that the post-retirement allowances of judges and CJIs had to be increased. These allowances, fixed in 1991 at Rs.14,000 in respect of retired judges and Rs.25,000 for retired CJIs, need to be enhanced to Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively.
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Justice Sathasivam said retired CJIs were not provided government accommodation and added that as a mark of recognition and in honour of the services, both as a judge and head of the judiciary, accommodation need to be provide at a place they desired.
He said Dr. Singh was yet to respond to these suggestions. He hoped that the new government would consider them favourably.