N.L. ABHYANKAR AND OTHERS ETC. vs UNION OF INDIA

The Supreme Court allowed the writ petitions under Article 32, affirming that judges of the High Court and Supreme Court are entitled to pensionary benefits under the amended Act of 1976, effective from 1.10.1974, irrespective of their retirement dates. The Court directed that arrears of pension be paid within four months, including amounts due to the legal heirs of deceased judges. The decision referenced D.S. Nakara v. Union of India and upheld the Allahabad High Court's reasoning in Bidhubhushan Malik v. Union of India.