SC hits out at govt for HC vacancies, says no decision on collegium-cleared names ‘for years’

SC says government must realise that early adjudication of commercial disputes is a necessity, for which there has to be adequate number of judges.

10.8.2021

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday expressed anguish over the recalcitrant attitude of government in not appointing judges for high courts for years even where recommendations have been cleared by the Collegium.

While referring to vacancies, the apex court said high courts are manned by number of judges where it will become almost impossible to have early adjudication of even important matters.

The top court said the government must realise that early adjudication of commercial disputes is the necessity for which there has to be adequate number of judges.

A bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy said that judicial institution is faced with such scenario despite the timeline laid down by the apex court in its April 20 order this year which appears to have not moved the government .

We have put to the ASG (Additional Solicitor General) that the recommendations take months and years to reach the Collegium and thereafter months and years no decisions are taken post the Collegium, the judicial institution of the High Courts is manned by a number of judges where it will become almost impossible to have an early adjudication even on important issues, the bench said.

10 Aug 2021