‘7’
APPOINTMENT OF ADHOC JUDGES FOR FAST TRACK COURTS
On the specific recommendation of the Eleventh Finance Commission, the Central Government have decided to set up 1734 additional courts in the country in the Subordinate Judiciary. These courts are expected to serve as fast track courts, and dispose of, on priority, long pending sessions and other cases, priority being given to cases involving undertrials in jails.
The scheme envisages appointment of ad-hoc sessions judges from amongst the retired district/additional district and sessions judges to deal with the pending sessions cases in district/subordinate courts.
Appointment of district judges and other judges of the subordinate courts is made by the respective High Courts and the State Governments under the provisions of Articles 233-234 of the Constitution of India. Accordingly, the matter is under the consideration of High Courts and State Governments.
The proposal to introduce double shift in courts including evening courts is receiving consideration alongwith many other suggestions to reduce delays in the legal system. Views of all the High Courts/State Governments were sought. None of the High Courts/State Governments who have replied so far have supported the proposal.
Most of the State Governments have appointed special judicial/metropolitan magistrates and mobile courts for the disposal of petty offences including traffic cases. So far about 774 special judicial/metropolitan magistrates have been appointed in various States/Union Territories.
This information was given by the Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and Shipping, Shri Arun Jaitley in a written reply to a question from Dr. V. Saroja and two other Members in the Lok Sabha today.