Mumbai, July 7 (IANS). Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Assembly on Tuesday that out of 138 fast track courts approved in Maharashtra, only 58 are functional at present. The state government is in constant touch with the High Court regarding providing judges for the remaining courts.
Responding to the question of MLA Rahul Kul, CM Devendra Fadnavis said that a plan was made to set up a total of 138 fast track courts across the state, but due to the appointment of judges being entirely under the jurisdiction of the judiciary, only 58 courts have been started.
He said that for the last one year, the government has been continuously requesting to provide judges for the approved courts through correspondence and joint meetings with the Chief Justice.
The Chief Minister said that the High Court has told the government that the process of recruitment and promotion of new judges is in the final stages. After this process is completed, judges will be appointed in all the approved fast track courts.
He said that till then some courts have been given ‘designated’ status to hear special cases, but they have to hear other general cases also.
Regarding the judicial structure in Pune and other parts of the state, the Chief Minister said that in the last 10 to 12 years, Sessions Courts and Additional District Courts have been expanded on a large scale in Maharashtra. He assured that the government is providing necessary funds and facilities to develop the judicial infrastructure.
He said the need for additional courts is determined by a committee of the High Court based on the number of pending cases. If demand for new courts comes from Pune or any other place, then the pending cases will be assessed and new courts will be approved as per requirement.
During this, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar intervened and said that due to the large number of vacancies in the lower courts, there is a serious delay in providing justice.
He said that many criminal cases, especially in the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act) court of Pune and other courts, are pending for years, causing immense trouble to the common citizens.
The Speaker directed that the vacant posts of judges should be filled immediately and this process should be expedited in coordination with the Chief Justice.
Responding to the Speaker’s instructions, CM Fadnavis assured that this issue will be raised prominently in the next meeting with the Chief Justice and will be given priority.
He reiterated that the government will make every possible effort to speed up the recruitment process by bringing to the notice of the High Court those areas where there is an acute shortage of judges or new appointments are required.
–IANS
AMT/DKP
