Law ministry clears appointment of 14 judges to Bombay HC
The Law Ministry recently notified the appointment of 14 additional judges to the Bombay High Court, after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent. "They have been appointed for a period of two years with effect from the date they assume charge", stated the notification published in the Ministry of Law and Justice Gazette. Let's know more about the state of judiciary in India.
Judicial vacancies in India: Current status
India has 24 High Courts, with an approved strength of 1079 judges. However, the number of HC judges currently stands at 629, leaving more than 450 positions vacant. India's heavy judicial backlog of over three crore pending cases worsens the situation.
Know your judges
The appointments were made in two rounds of 6 and 8 on May 27 and 31 respectively. Advocate General Rohit Deo and Riyaz Chagla, the grandson of Bombay HC's first Chief Justice, M C Chagla were amongst the first six appointed. The names released on Wednesday further include Sunil Kotwal and Arun Upadhye, Sessions Court judges from Thane and Sangli respectively.
Modi: Govt to help reduce judiciary's pendency
The Centre has assured Chief Justice of India JS Khehar that it will help the judiciary in tackling the pendency of cases. At the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Allahabad High Court, PM Modi said the government will also help modernize the judiciary. He said soon they would use technological means to improve efficiency in courts, including video-conferencing for trials.
More High Court appointments can be expected
While Indian judiciary is plagued by a heavy case backlog, sources within the Law Ministry note that the government is likely to focus on filling vacancies in 24 High Courts this year to remedy the situation, over increasing the sanctioned strength of judges.
