New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sasmit Patra has written to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, requesting urgent filling up of judicial vacancies in the Orissa High Court.
In his letter, Patra drew attention to the increasing vacancies in the High Court, which merit priority consideration. Following the retirement of Chief Justice Harish Tandon on 15 November 2026, the Court’s working strength will stand at 13 Judges against a sanctioned strength of 33, with 20 vacancies representing approximately 60.6%, compared to the national High Court vacancy rate of around 26%.
Despite the induction of Judges through transfers during 2025, subsequent retirements and transfers have resulted in the High Court’s working strength declining from 20 Judges in December 2025 to 13. Fresh judicial appointments would considerably strengthen its institutional capacity, he said.
This assumes particular significance considering the 1,70,346 pending cases, including 38,936 pending for over a decade, as reported to Parliament in August 2026, Patra noted, citing the Union Government’s reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3371, answered on 7 August 2026.
Patra therefore requested the Law Minister’s kind consideration in facilitating the filling up of judicial vacancies in the Orissa High Court, in consultation with the appropriate constitutional authorities, through a coordinated and time-bound approach.
