Notice to Centre on PIL for speedy disposal of cases

Law graduates prefer to join corporate houses to becoming judges: Chief Justice
Those who take qualifying exam could not meet standards
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Centre on a public interest litigation petition for a direction to take immediate steps for speedy disposal of cases pending and being filed in various courts.
A Bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice R.V. Raveendran issued the notice on the petition filed by Janhit Manch for a direction to appoint more judges.
The Chief Justice told counsel Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner: “We are not able to fill about 3,000 vacancies in the subordinate judiciary as young law graduates are not coming forward to become judges, as they join corporate houses.”
Justice Raveendran said: “Even those who are appearing in the examinations [for selection in the subordinate judiciary] are unable to meet the required standards. Others don’t come as they feel that salary is less.”
Counsel said it was for this very reason the PIL petition was filed after a thorough research on how the problem vis-À-vis appointing more judges could be solved.
The petitioner analysed various Law Commission reports on arrears and delay, and came out with the reasons for delay in the judicial process.
The Bench then agreed to hear the petition.
Legal Correspondent
THE HINDU; Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008