Nearly 400 judges’ vacancies in HCS; 75 await govt’s nod

THE GOVERNMENT IS YET TO RECEIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEARLY 280 VACANCIES FROM THE HIGH COURTS

NEW DELHI: Vacancies for judges in India’s 24 high courts breached the 400 mark on February 1, according to statistics provided by the law ministry but were brought down on Saturday with the appointment of five judges to the Karnataka high court. The latest data released by the ministry’s department of justice showed that 403 of the total 1,079 posts of judges were vacant on February 1, up from 397 a month ago.

“The government has notified the appointment of five additional judges to the Karnataka high court. More appointments are awaiting clearance at different levels,” a law ministry official said on Saturday.

Another official, seeking anonymity, said recommendations and clearances were awaited from both the government and the judiciary.

Appointments to the high courts are made by a three-member Supreme Court collegium, which consists of the three top SC judges, including the Chief Justice of India, who heads the body. Appointments to the SC are made by a five-member collegium consisting of the five most senior judges.

Similar bodies in high courts (called HC collegiums) select prospective candidates and send their names and professional records to the law ministry. The ministry, along with background check reports by the Intelligence Bureau, forwards it to the CJI for consideration by the three-member SC collegium.

The government is yet to receive recommendations for nearly 280 vacancies from the high courts, while the rest of the names are awaiting nod from either the Supreme Court collegium or “at different levels within the government”.