Bombay High Court Grants Former Judge Ganediwala Pension Amid Controversy

The Bombay High Court ruled that Pushpa Ganediwala, a former judge criticized for her judgments in POCSO Act cases, is entitled to a pension equivalent to a high court judge. This decision overturns a previous communication denying her this benefit due to her demotion and discussed judicial controversies.

The Bombay High Court has declared that Pushpa Ganediwala, previously a judge for the court who faced scrutiny for her interpretations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, should receive a pension on par with that of a high court judge.

Ganediwala's tenure as an additional judge ended in February 2022, following her controversial rulings that included the stipulation of 'skin-to-skin contact' for charges of sexual assault under the POCSO Act, resulting in her demotion to a district sessions judge.

The court quashed a November 2022 communication that denied her the pension, affirming her entitlement from February 2022, and directed the registry to adjust her pension with interest promptly.

(With inputs from agencies.)