Srinagar: The Ministry of Law and Justice on Thursday informed Parliament that a total of six judges’ seats are lying vacant in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh while the overall sanctioned strength is 17.
Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju said this in response to the queries raised in the Rajya Sabha including on the vacancies of judges in High Courts and the strength of Schedule Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) judges.
The minister in a written reply to the house said that appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts is made under Articles 124, 217, and 224 of the Constitution of India, which do not provide for reservation for any caste or class of persons. Hence no class/category wise date is maintained centrally.
However, the Government has been requesting the Chief Justices of High Courts that while sending proposals for the appointment of Judges, due consideration be given to suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities, and Women to ensure social diversity in appointment of Judges in High Courts.
The reply about Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh said that the total strength is 17 while the working strength is 11.
It said that there are 6 vacancies in the courts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The figure stated that the entire strength of India is 1098 of which 644 is working strength and 454 places are lying vacant.
The entire figure mentioned by the law and justice ministry was the position as of 20-07-2021.
KNO

KR Desk