Justice Delayed: Delhi High Court Faces Critical Judge Shortage

A PIL in Delhi High Court highlights a severe judge shortage, with vacancies hampering justice delivery. Currently, only 36 of 60 positions are filled. Retirements and transfers exacerbate the issue, impacting marginalized communities and eroding public trust, demanding urgent judicial appointments.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed on Thursday in the Delhi High Court, seeking urgent judicial intervention due to a significant shortage of judges hindering efficient justice delivery. The plea by lawyer Amit Sahni points out that, although 60 judges are sanctioned, the court currently operates with only 36, indicating a 40% vacancy.

The shortage stems from retirements, inter-court transfers, and delays in judge appointments despite constitutional mandates and procedural guidelines. Notable retirements include Justice Rekha Palli and Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, while Justices Yashwant Varma, C.D. Singh, and Dinesh Kumar Sharma have been transferred elsewhere.

With more retirements imminent, reducing the number further to 34, the shortfall exacerbates case backlog, burdens current judges, and delays significant rulings. This disproportionately affects marginalized citizens who rely on prompt adjudication. The plea underscores this as a crisis affecting fundamental rights and public trust, urging swift action to fill vacancies.

(With inputs from agencies.)