SC issues directions to 8 HCs, state governments on appointment of judges

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a series of directions to eight high courts and state governments on the appointment of judges to the vacant positions in the subordinate judiciary, including infrastructure and court staff in a time-bound manner.

The states included Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Goa, NCT Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya.

The hearing saw the court pulling up the Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and other state governments for their lackadaisical attitude in providing infrastructure and manpower for the functioning of the subordinate court.

Uttar Pradesh, with more than 1,000 vacancies in the subordinate and higher judiciary, was directed to complete the process of appointment in a time-bound manner by adhering to the time-lines given to it for the filling of vacancies, court infrastructure, supporting staff and accommodation for the judges.

The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Krishan Kaul and Justice K. M. Joseph took a dim view of the way the things were progressing in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The court asked Delhi to state on affidavit indicating difficulties it was encountering and the possible solutions.

The court order came as Delhi said it faced with serious financial constraints. The court was broadly satisfied the way things were progressing in Maharashtra and Assam.

The today's proceedings saw Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi making it abundantly clear that top court wants vacancies in subordinate judiciary to be filled up coupled with required infrastructure for their functioning.

"We need judges, we need court rooms and the staff", declared CJI Gogoi.

Making it clear that it would not let the proceedings be hostage to reports, proposals and recommendation of the committees, CJI Gogoi said: "We will ensure that posts of judicial officers are filled up and it was incumbent upon the state governments to provide both the infrastructure and the manpower to run the courts."

--IANS

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