SHAKTI KUMAR GUPTA vs STATE OF J & K

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of compulsory retirement of judicial officers under Rule 24 of the Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009, which allows for premature retirement based on an assessment of the officer's record before reaching the ages of 50, 55, and 58. The Court emphasized that the High Court must evaluate the overall service record, particularly the last five years, to determine continued utility in service. The judgment upheld the procedure established for assessing judicial officers and clarified the criteria for continued service, referencing the All India Judges Association case (AIR 1993 SC 2493).