Question : VACANCIES OF JUDGES

to the reply given to Starred Question No. 414 on April 24, 2000 regarding Observation of CJI on Pendency of Cases and state:

(a) the number of Justices/Chief Justices working in Supreme Court and various High Courts, as on date;

(b) the number of posts of judges in the High Courts and Supreme Court lying vacant at present and since when;

(c) the number of posts filled up during the last three months;

(d) whether the number of Justices/Chief Justices belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in various High Courts including Supreme Court is negligible;

(e) if so, whether the Government propose to appoint judges in the vacant posts from the persons belonging to SCs/STs;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW, JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY):

(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 829 FOR ANSWER ON 27TH JULY, 2000.

As on 20.7.2000, the Supreme Court of India has a sanctioned strength of 26 Judges; 24 Judges were in position, leaving 2 vacancies to be filled up. These vacancies arose on 5.5.2000 and 1.7.2000.

As on 20.7.2000 there were 167 vacancies of Judges/Additional Judges (including 27 posts which have been agreed to be created) in various High Courts of the country.

These vacancies arose, from time to time, due to retirement, resignation and elevation etc. of the Judges as also the creation of new posts.

From 1.5.2000 till date appointment of 1 Judge in the Supreme Court of India and of 13 Judges/Additional Judges in various High Courts of the country were made.

Appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court of India and High Courts is made under articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution which do not provide for reservation for any caste or class of persons. The Central Government has, however, been writing to the Chief Ministers of the States and the Chief Justices of the High Courts, from time to time, requesting them to locate suitable persons from the Bar belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes, Minorities and Women for appointment as High Court Judges.