Important Facts:: About Supreme Court

Important Facts:: About Supreme Court

--> As amended in January 2009, the Chief Justice of India is paid a salary of Rs. 1 lakh/month, other judges are paid a monthly salary of Rs. 90,000.

--> The salary and other allowances of judges cannot be reduced to their disadvantage during their term of office; except during the enforcement of the financial emergency under Article 360.

--> The President of India administers the oath of office to the judges of Supreme Court. The format of oath is given in the third schedule of the Constitution.

--> If the post of both the President and the Vice-President falls vacant, the Chief Justice of India discharges the functions of the President till new incumbent is elected to the office of the President. M. Hidaytulla is the only Chief Justice who acted as President in 1969.

--> Ordinarily the seat of the Supreme Court shall be at Delhi. However, with the approval of the President, under Article 130, the Chief Justice of India may allow the sittings of the courts in other places.

--> According to Article 129, the Supreme Court shall be a court of Record and shall have all the powers of such courts including the power to punish for contempt of itself.

--> In the absence of the Chief Justice, the President has the power to appoint an Acting Chief Justice from among the Judges of Supreme Court (Article 126).

--> If there is a lack of quorum required to a session of the court, the Chief Justice of India, with the prior consent of the President, may appoint ad hoc judges from amongst the judges of High Courts, who have qualifications to become judge of Supreme Court.

--> Similarly, the Chief Justice of India with the prior consent of the President may request a retired judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court to sit and act as a judge of Supreme Court.

--> The interpretation of the Constitution falls within the domain of the Constitutional Bench which must consist of at least 5 judges.

--> The decisions of the Supreme Courts are taken by majority. However, minority opinion may be recorded in the judgment.