This would be a big step towards the judicial system in Bihar, in which the Collegium of the Supreme Court has suggested that the Patna High Court be allowed to have nine additional judges. The transfer is likely to empower the operations of the High Court and aid in dealing with the ever-increasing number of court cases in the state.
The Collegium of the Supreme Court, which is the highest body for appointing and moving judges in the higher judiciary, had recommended it. Before submitting names to the Central Government, the Collegium, which is the Chief Justice of India, along with senior Supreme Court judges, selects candidates based on merit, integrity, seniority, and judicial performance.
The proposed appointments are now forwarded to the Union Law Ministry for further processing. After the recommendations are reviewed by the Centre and cleared, the names will be sent to the President of India to be given his final approval. The appointments will then be officially notified once the President has given his consent, and the new judges will be sworn in.
The Patna High Court has been performing fewer than its approved strength, which has led to delays in the disposal of the cases. It has a large number of civil, criminal and service-related cases as well as many high courts in the country. Legal scholars are of the opinion that the nine judges to be added would make the hearings and judgments very fast.
Legal observers argue that strengthening the judiciary is essential in order to deliver justice on time. As litigation has been on the increase in land disputes, the administration and the petitions of interests of the people, the need to have quick adjudication has continuously increased in Bihar. Appointing vacancies that have been long pending is considered a necessary move in enhancing judicial efficiency.
The recommendation also indicates continuous national initiatives in filling judicial vacancies in a number of high courts. The Supreme Court Collegium has been actively attempting to come up with names of people who can be elevated in order to make courts operate within their approved capacity.
The move has been welcomed by lawyers practising at the Patna High Court, where they say that there will be more judges to relieve the existing benches and also lessen the waiting time to hear cases. Even litigants are optimistic that the appointments will see a quicker resolution of cases.
In case it is approved immediately, the nine new judges will commence induction, which will be a significant step to increase the Bihar judicial system and strengthen the attempt to bring more accessible and timely justice to the citizens.
