Bhubaneswar: The Odisha High Court is reeling under acute shortage of judges. Against a sanctioned strength of 33 judges, only 15 are currently working. Two more judges are set to retire in November, which will further bring down the strength.
Alleging delay in judicial process due to the shortage, lawyers on Wednesday staged a protest in Bhubaneswar. Members of the Odisha High Court Bar Association took out a peaceful march from Bhubaneswar Club to Lok Seva Bhawan.
They submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the Governor, demanding immediate filling of vacant judge posts in the High Court. The memorandum urged the Law Ministry to take an early decision on the basis of recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium to fill all vacant posts.
The association said more than 1.7 lakh cases are currently pending in the High Court and delivery of justice is being affected as more than half of the sanctioned judge posts are lying vacant.
Responding to the demands, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said vacant posts will be filled soon. He said the Supreme Court Collegium will take a decision on appointments and appealed to lawyers to remain patient.
