SC irked over inadequate response of West Bengal over infrastructure for judiciary

The Supreme Court Wednesday took strong note of the "inadequate" reply of the West Bengal government on construction of court rooms and residential units for the lower court judges in the state.

The apex court on its own had taken note of over 5,000 vacancies for judicial officers across the country and had directed all the 24 high courts and 36 states and UTs to apprise it of remedial measures.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had summoned the Chief Secretary and the Finance Secretary of West Bengal on Wednesday to apprise it of the deadline for completion of construction of 422 courtrooms and 630 residential units for subordinate judges in the state.

Chief Secretary Malay Kumar De along with the Finanace Secretary appeared before the bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, and unsuccessfully attempted to satisfy it about the pending projects and their date of completion.

The CJI asked the top bureaucrat as to when the under construction projects for 75 court buildings and 39 residential units would be completed.

It also asked as to when the construction of 422 court halls and 630 residential units will commence.

At the outset, the court today said out of the 75 court building projects, only 23 have been granted the approval and asked as to how many courts would be housed in the 23 projects.

"I do not have the exact details," the Chief Secretary replied and sought some time to collate information.

"This is unacceptable. We need courtrooms for judges to sit and residences to stay," the bench said.

"We are only at the tip of the iceberg. We require 422 buildings but only 75 are being constructed. Out of that, approvals have come only for 23," it said, adding, "Is it not the Constitutional duty of the state to provide court halls and residences for judges?"
The bench said, "So far as appointment of judges was concerned, we will do that, but where the judges will sit and reside."
On being informed that five High Court judges had interviewed the candidates, the bench said, "Five High Court judges interviewing 23-year-old law graduates for the post of 'Munsif'! How can they pass through."