Lawyers sit in dharna demanding appointment of judges

Lawyers today sat on a dharna demanding appointment of judges at the Calcutta High Court, which is at present functioning at less than half its sanctioned strength.
The agitating lawyers have also sent a petition to President Ram Nath Kovind seeking his "intervention" to alleviate the "plight of the justice system in Calcutta High Court."
"Around 600 lawyers practising at this court have signed the petition seeking immediate steps to appoint new judges at the Calcutta High Court," senior counsel Bikash Bhattacharya, who is participating in the dharna, said.
"Litigant people are getting restless and taking resort to unconstitutional means by not getting the avenue of justice available to them," the letter said.

"The situation is alarming and requires immediate response to restore semblance of sense of justice and peace," it said.
"With nearly three lakh cases pending, the high court is functioning with only 31 judges out of the sanctioned strength of 72 judges," Bhattacharya said.

"Everyday the lawyers are facing accusation from litigants that they are not diligent enough, but the real problem lies in the vacancy of judges," Rabishankar Chatterjee, another advocate participating in the sit-in demonstration outside the main entrance of the high court, said.
Acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court Justice Nishita Mhatre had earlier this month expressed anguish at non-appointment of judges in the high court, saying the court was constrained for time as it was functioning at less than half of its sanctioned strength.

Criticising the Centre for delay in the appointment of judges, another division bench of the high court had on July 12 warned of "appropriate action" if urgent steps were not taken on it.