Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Law Minister of India while replying to a question asked in Rajya Sabha regarding vacancies of Judges in High Courts has stated that 453 posts of High Court Judges are lying vacant as of July 15, 2021.
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju also revealed that the High Courts of Allahabad, Calcutta, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh do not have a regular Chief Justice.
The Unstarred Question no. 414 asked by DR. C. M. Ramesh that
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of vacancies of judges and Chief Justices in different High Courts of the country, State-wise and from when these posts are lying vacant; and
(b) by when these vacancies are likely to be filled up in the light of pending cases, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
In Response to the First Question, the Law Minister replied that the High Courts of Allahabad, Calcutta, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh do not have a regular Chief Justice and 453 posts of High Court Judges are lying vacant in State High Court’s.
In pursuance to second question, the Law Minister informed the Upper House that filling up of vacancies is a continuous, integrated and collaborative process between the Executive and the Judiciary. It requires consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities both at the State and Centre level.
Hence, the time frame for filling up vacancies of Judges cannot be indicated. While every effort is made to fill up the existing vacancies expeditiously, vacancies do keep on arising on account of retirement, resignation or elevation of Judges and increase in Judge Strength.
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