As Calcutta HC lawyers strike, govt says it can't be blamed for vacancies

Amid an ongoing strike by lawyers of the Calcutta high court over shortage of judges, top sources in the government today said the high court is yet to send recommendations to fill up 24 vacancies.

Names of five candidates for appointment as additional judges are under active consideration of the government, the sources said.

They also pointed out that the law ministry alone could not be blamed for the vacancies in the high court.

Officials also said that in recommending candidates for certain vacancies, the senior judges involved with the appointment process had not followed the Memorandum of Procedure and the names had to be returned to the HC for reconsideration.

The approved strength of the Calcutta HC was increased from 58 to 72 in May 2016.

In 2016-17, the HC collegium had recommended 30 names for appointment as judges in six lots. The Supreme Court collegium in turn recommended only 13 names out of the 30. The government has appointed 10 as judges and returned the files of three for reconsideration.

Out of the 24 vacancies of judges for which no recommendation has been made, nine have to be members of the bar and 15 have to be judicial officers/lower court judges.

Lawyers of Calcutta High Court, protesting against the shortage of judges, have extended their strike till April 18. The strike will now complete two months.