VACANCIES OF JUDGES IN SUBORDINATE COURTS OF INDIA

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LOK SABHA

As per the available information, there are 2216 vacant posts of judges and magistrates in the Subordinate Courts in the county.

Filling up the vacant posts of judges/magistrates at the district and subordinate courts is the concern of the respective High Courts and the State Governments. Appointment of district judges and other judges of the subordinate courts is made by the Governor of the State in consultation with the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to such State under the provisions of Articles 233-234 of the Constitution of India.

The Supreme Court, vide its judgement of March 21, 2002, in All India Judges’ Association and Others Vs Union of India and Others, has directed that the existing vacancies in the subordinate courts at all levels should be filled, if possible, latest by March 31, 2003 , in all the States.

The Central Government have been periodically urging all the State Governments/Union Territories and the High Courts to accord utmost priority to filling up of vacant posts of judges and magistrates. The Union Law Ministers has written to the Chief Justices of all High Courts and Chief Minister of all States on April 26, 2002 for ensuring compliance of the aforesaid order of the Supreme Court of March 21, 2002.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Law and Justice Shri K. Jana Krishnamurthi in a written reply to a question from Dr. Baliram and Shri Suresh Kurup in the Lok Sabha today.