Delhi HC has half the sanctioned strength of judges

Despite a sanctioned strength of 60 judges, the Delhi High Court is working with almost half the number, judges said on Thursday.

They were briefing reporters on the golden jubilee celebrations of the high court on October 31.

The overseeing committee, comprising Justice B.D. Ahmed, Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Siddharth Mridul, told the reporters that the current strength of judges in the high court is 34, almost half the sanctioned strength.

"We are working at half the sanctioned capacity. If we have full strength of judges, the pendency could drop down to zero," said Justice B.D. Ahmed, pointing out that the high court receives 45,000 fresh cases every year and there is pendency of approximately 60,000 cases.

On October 31, the Delhi High Court would be celebrating its 50th anniversary at Vigyan Bhawan here with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Chief Guest.

The judges also said the Delhi High Court has been on the forefront when it came to adopting new technologies. "So far, 10 of our courts are e-courts. What happens in Delhi (HC court) is replicated in courts across the country," said Justice Kohli.

"A large number of cases, which are sensitive in nature, are transferred to the Delhi High Court from the Supreme Court," said Justice Siddharth Mridul.

Justice Pradip Nandrajog said that most of the IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) matters from all over the country come to the Delhi High Court.

--IANS

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