The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has announced a one-day strike today in protest against the High Court operating with only 79 judges instead of the sanctioned 160.
During an emergency meeting on February 24, chaired by President and Senior Advocate Anil Tiwari, along with Secretary Vikrant Pandey, the association unanimously resolved that advocates would abstain from judicial work on February 25 due to the shortage of judges.
In a letter, the Bar Association noted that one of its two demands raised on February 22—reconsideration of proposed amendments to the Advocates Act—has been accepted by the Central government.
However, the second demand concerning the filling of vacant judicial positions remains unaddressed.
"In such a situation, it is natural for judicial independence to be affected," the letter addressed to the Chief Justice of the High Court stated.
Despite a staggering 10,99,027 cases pending before the High Court as of February 25, little effort has been made to urgently address the judicial vacancies.
Recently, the Supreme Court also expressed concern over the heavy case backlog at the Allahabad High Court, emphasizing the need for immediate action to fill the vacant judge positions.
"In last one month, we have come across many petitions whose proceedings have been pending before Allahabad High Court since three decades...It appears that the High Court of Allahabad is flooded with litigation. We are informed each judge is with 15-20 thousand cases. The High Court is working with (79) judges; that means it has vacancy of 50 percent. Litigants are waiting...The only way out is to take steps to fill up vacancies, recommending candidates on merit," Justice JB Pardiwala had added.
Website designed, developed and maintained by webexy