"Do not embarrass us:" Bombay High Court refuses urgent listing of plea on judicial vacancies

The Bombay High Court on Monday refused to urgently list a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a permanent mechanism to fill up vacancies of judges in the High Court [Bombay Lawyers Association v. The Registrar General, Supreme Court of India & Ors]..The plea was mentioned by Advocate Eknath Dhokale, appearing for the Bar body, stating that although the sanctioned strength of judges of the High Court is 94, it is currently functioning with only 57 judges, out of which 9 are due to retire by the end of 2022.The Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik, however, was not inclined to hear the petition."Please do not embarrass us. You go to Delhi, approach Supreme Court," the Bench said. Nevertheless, after deliberation with each other, the judges proceeded to list the matter after 8 weeks. .The petition filed by Bombay Lawyers Association sought directions to fill up the current vacant posts of judges at the Bombay High Court to ensure that it functions at its sanctioned strength.The PIL pointed out that the failure to fill up the vacant posts of judges amounted to denial of justice to citizens, and that delay in the filling of posts was causing delay in the delivery of justice.The plea raised grievance that due to the shortage of judges, there is a huge pendency of matters for years together, many of which have not been listed for hearing.Official data from the High Court website pointed out that the case clearance rate for the year 2021 was 67.52%, which meant there was pendency of 32.48% in the year 2021.The petition, therefore, sought directions to be issued to the Registrars- General of the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court, the Principal Secretary of the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Law and Judiciary, to create a permanent mechanism to fill vacancies at the Bombay High Court in a timely manner.."Where are the judges:" Bar, Bench bemoan burgeoning vacancies in Bombay High Court