New Delhi: While the focus is on shortage of judges in the Supreme Court and the 24 high courts, the situation in the subordinate courts, considered the backbone of justice delivery system, is even worse.
Latest data made available by the Law Ministry shows that there is a shortage of 5,111 judicial officers who run subordinate courts across the country.
As on June 30 while the total sanctioned strength was 21,303, the subordinate courts were functioning with 16,192 judicial officers — a shortage of 5,111.
In most of the big states, the selection of judicial officers is done by the high courts.
In 11 states the recruitment of subordinate judiciary is done by the high courts, while in 17 states it is done by the state public service commissions.
With 794 vacancies, Gujarat tops the list among states with highest number of vacant posts. It is followed by Bihar with 792 vacancies. Uttar Pradesh stands at number three with 595 vacancies in lower courts.
