India, Aug. 14 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a performance audit of consumer commissions across the country, including an assessment of the work done by former judges and judicial officers appointed to these fora, as it questioned whether they had become "rehabilitation centres" for retired people without adequate accountability.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana took strong exception to reports of prolonged pendency and poor disposal of consumer disputes, saying appointments to these bodies could not be treated merely as post-retirement rehabilitation.

"Have these places become a rehabilitation centre for retired people? That is what is bothering us. You appo...