Over 5,400 posts vacant in Lower Judiciary; 10 in Nagaland: Law Ministry

December 19, 2023 22 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 19

The total vacancy in the lower judiciary across India as of December 11, 2023, was 5443, while 10 in Nagaland, according to data provided by the Union Ministry of Law & Justice on December 15.

Against the sanctioned strength of 25,439, currently 19,996 are positions, creating a vacancy of 5443 judicial officers, informed the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, in the written reply in the Lok Sabha.

In Nagaland, against the sanctioned strength of 34 judicial officers, only 24 were in position. The vacancy in lower judiciary was highest in Uttar Pradesh at 1247, followed by 545 in Gujarat and 473 in Bihar.

The Union Territories of Chandigarh, D & N Haveli, and Lakshadweep had 1 vacancy each, while all posts were filled in Daman & Diu.

Among the states, Goa and Arunachal Pradesh had the lowest vacancies at 10 each, followed by 12 in Sikkim and 20 in Tripura.
Meanwhile, across the High Courts in India, out of the sanctioned strength of 1114 judges, there were 790 in positions, creating a vacancy of 324. In the Gauhati High Court, under which the Kohima Bench operates, there were 6 vacancies with a sanctioned strength of 30 judges and 24 in position.

In the Supreme Court, as of December 11, 2023, against the sanctioned strength of 34 Judges (including Chief Justice of India), 34 Judges are working, and there is no vacancy.

The appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts is a continuous, integrated, and collaborative process between the Executive and the Judiciary and requires consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities at both the State and Central levels, Meghwal said.

While every effort is made to fill up the existing vacancies expeditiously, vacancies in High Courts keep arising due to retirement, resignation, or elevation of Judges and also due to an increase in the strength of Judges, he added.

In the case of the recruitment and appointment of judicial officers in district Courts or subordinate judiciary, the Union Government has no role under the Constitution, the MoS pointed out.