Fill vacancies of judges in High Court: Abhishek

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has urged the Centre and the ministry of Law and Justice to take initiatives to appoint an adequate number of judges in Calcutta High Court. Banerjee is all set to raise the issue in the next session of Parliament. Out of the sanctioned strength of 72 judges, there are only 34 functional judges.

In the next six months, the vacancy would rise to nearly 66 percent. "Such colossal vacancies will lead to substantial increase in the burden of judicial and administrative work to be discharged by existing judges, despite higher disposal rates compared to other High Courts," he maintained.

He further stated that the High Court has faced brazen apathy and indifference of the political executive in respect of filling up of vacancies. Names of seven members of the Bar have been recommended by the Collegium of the Supreme Court to the Central government for elevating them as Judges of Calcutta High Court along with recommendations for the elevation of Judges of other High Courts long time back. While the functional strength of the other High Courts has increased by the day, such vacancies of the Calcutta High Court remain unfulfilled. Nonetheless, it may be noted that an appointment of seven or some more judges, if at all, would also not bring any substantial change in the functional strength because of the ensuing retirements. He urged that immediate action is required to appoint a maximum number of judges to prevent the justice delivery system from collapsing.

Banerjee further observed that by adopting a step-motherly attitude a particular High Court would be rendered ineffective.