Thu Mar 13 06:11:30 UTC 2025: ## Bombay High Court Awards Full Pension to Former Judge Ganediwala

**Mumbai, March 13, 2025** – The Bombay High Court ruled today that former judge Pushpa Ganediwala is entitled to a full high court judge’s pension. Ms. Ganediwala, whose controversial interpretations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act led to significant public backlash and ultimately prevented her appointment as a permanent judge, had challenged the court’s initial denial of her pension.

The court overturned a November 2022 decision that deemed her ineligible for the pension, citing her demotion to district sessions judge in February 2022 after her additional judgeship ended. The judges ruled that Ms. Ganediwala’s service as an additional judge entitled her to the pension, regardless of the circumstances surrounding her demotion. The court ordered the immediate payment of the pension, including 6% interest from February 2022.

Ms. Ganediwala’s controversial judgments, which included rulings that minimized the definition of sexual assault under the POCSO Act, sparked widespread criticism in 2021. This led the Supreme Court Collegium to withdraw its recommendation for her permanent appointment as a high court judge. Her subsequent resignation after her additional judgeship ended resulted in the pension dispute. Ms. Ganediwala argued that the denial of her pension was arbitrary and unsustainable. The High Court’s decision today concludes this protracted legal battle.

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