‘Underground elements’ may get into system: Ex-SC judge Hegde

Sharing Chief Justice of India T S Thakur’s concern over ‘delay’ in appointment of judges, retired Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde on Saturday warned that it may lead to "all types of systems" like underground elements coming to fore for "settling" disputes.

Hegde said in almost all high courts, pending vacancy of judges is 50 per cent.

"As it is, there is a delay of 10 to 15 years (in disposing of cases). What will happen in the days to come? People will lose faith in the system," he said.

"Once people lose faith in the system then all types of systems will come into existence, underground people would say they would settle the dispute, recovery of bad loans, 'goondas' (goons) go and take over and do so called 'justice'," he said.