New Delhi, Jan. 31 -- In a significant move to tackle pendency of criminal cases, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the high courts across the country to appoint retired HC judges on an ad-hoc basis, subject to conditions that they will only hear criminal appeals in a bench headed by a sitting judge.

The order by a special bench comprising chief justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant will allow chief justices of high courts to initiate recommending names of retired HC judges for appointment. Each HC should keep the appointment to two to five ad-hoc judges and not exceed 10% of the total sanctioned strength, the bench said.

The bench modified and kept in abeyance certain conditions imposed by an ear...