165 judges appointed in HCs, the highest so far, Law Minister to RS [Read Press Release]

NEW DELHI: Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said a record number of 165 judges were appointed in various High Courts, the highest in a calendar year so far.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, he informed that the Government has recently referred back 20 names to Supreme Court Collegium recommended for appointment as High Court judges.

As on 09.12.2022, against the sanctioned strength of 1108 Judges, 777 are working in High Courts, leaving a vacancy of 331 (30%) judges to be filled.

Against 331 vacancies, at present, 147 proposals received from High Courts are at various stages of processing between the Government and the Supreme Court Collegium.

Further recommendations from High Court Collegiums are yet to be received in respect of 184 vacancies in High Courts.

In the year 2022 till 09.12.2022, Government has appointed a record number of 165 Judges in various High Courts, which is highest in a calendar year so far.

He also said the Constitution (Ninety-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2014 and the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014 w.e.f. 13.04.2015, brought about to replace the Collegium system for appointment of judges were declared as unconstitutional and void by the SC's five-judge bench judgement on October 16, 2015.

The Collegium system as existing prior to the enforcement of the Constitution (Ninety-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2014 was declared to be operative, and all current appointments in the Higher Judiciary are currently being made as per the existing Memoradum of Procedure, he added.

[Read Press Release]