(a) whether the Government propose to appoint adhoc judges or enage retired judges and
start mobile courts/evening courts to reduce the pending cases in variouscourts in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF LAW, JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF SHIPPING
(SHRI ARUN JA1TLEY):
(a) to (c) On the specific recommendation of the Eleventh Finance Commission, the Central
Government have decided to set up 1734 additional courts in the country in the Subordinate
Judiciary. These courts are expected to serve as fast track courts, and dispose of, on
priority, long pending sessions and other cases, priority being given to cases involving
undertrials in jails.
The scheme envisages appointment of ad-hoc Sessions Judges from amongst the retired
District/ Additional district and Sessions Judges to deal with the pending sessions cases
in district/subordinate courts.
Appointment of District Judges and other judges of the subordinate courts is made by the
respective High Courts and the State Governments under the provisions of articles 233-234
of the Constitution of India. Accordingly, the matter is under the consideration of High
Courts and State Governments.
The proposal to introduce double shift in courts including evening courts is receiving
consideration alongwith many other suggestions to reduce delays in the legal system. Views
of all the High Courts/State Governments were sought. None of the High Courts/State
Governments who have replied so far have supported the proposal.
Most of the State Governments have appointed Special Judicial/Metropolitan Magistrates
and mobile courts for the disposal of petty offences including traffic cases. So far
about 774 Special Judicial/Metropolitan Magistrates have been appointed in various
States/UTs.