Expedite process of filling judges' vacancies: Centre

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, JULY 26. Concerned over the pendency of over 35 lakh cases in various High Courts as on July 1, the Centre has urged the Chief Justices of High Courts and the Chief Ministers and Governors of States to expedite the process of filling the existing vacancies for Judges of High Courts as also for vacancies arising in the next six months.

Sources in the Law Ministry said the Government of India had taken a stand that the entire process of filling the vacancies should be undertaken six months before a vacancy occurs so that the entire process is completed and it is filled soon after it arises.

The process is solely dependent on the timely and advance consultation between the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned, the Chief Minister and the Governor of the State.

As on date, there are over 175 vacancies against the sanctioned strength of 647 judges in all the 21 High Courts.

Proposals have so far been received in respect of 59 vacancies only and these are at various stages of consideration.

The proposals for the remaining vacancies are yet to be received from the Chief Justices.

Hence, the Centre has written to the Chief Justices, Chief Ministers and Governors to expedite the process of sending the recommendations for existing as also for vacancies due to arise in the next six months. As far as the Supreme Court is concerned, out of the sanctioned strength of 26 judges, two posts are vacant and the process of filling the vacancies is on.

The filling up of vacancies in district and subordinate courts is the responsibility of the State Governments and the High Courts concerned and as on date more than 1,500 vacancies exist at various levels as against the sanctioned strength of 12,205 presiding officers, the sources said.

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