Wed Dec 04 06:45:47 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Criticizes Madhya Pradesh for Dismissing Women Judges
**New Delhi, December 4, 2024** – The Supreme Court of India strongly condemned the termination of six female civil judges in Madhya Pradesh, questioning the fairness of the dismissal criteria and highlighting the potential impact of menstruation on their performance.
The court’s remarks, made during a hearing on Tuesday, focused on the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to terminate the judges based on low case disposal rates. Justice B.V. Nagarathna, expressing concern for the judges’ physical and mental well-being, reportedly stated, “I wish they had menstruation; then only they would understand,” emphasizing the need for a more empathetic approach considering potential health impacts.
The Supreme Court questioned the application of the same criteria to male judges, noting the unique challenges faced by women. They directed that the same performance standards must be applied to both male and female judges. The court further stressed that dismissing judges simply due to perceived slowness, without acknowledging potential physical and mental health factors, was unacceptable.
The six judges were initially terminated in June 2023 following a recommendation by the Madhya Pradesh High Court based on unsatisfactory performance during their probationary period. While two have since been reinstated, the Supreme Court’s intervention underscores concerns about gender equality and fair treatment within the judiciary. The case has been adjourned until December 12th for further hearing.
First Piper 