New Delhi, Nov 6: The Union Government has reportedly consented to the proposal of increase in the Judge strength in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from present 17 to 25, marking a significant step towards improving the judicial infrastructure in the region.
The union minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a letter to the Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court, has conveyed to him the acceptance of a proposal sent by the then Chief Justice on January 31, 2022 recommending for the increase in the strength of Judges.
The letter said, ‘It has been decided that there will be 19 permanent judges and 6 additional judges. The revised judge’s strength will be effective from 25-10-2024 and asked the chief justice to initiate the process. The ratio strength too has been maintained 66.5 percent from the Bar and 33.5 percent from the Service.
This decision, which comes as part of ongoing efforts to address the increasing volume of cases, aims to ensure quicker resolution of pending matters and enhance access to justice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The move follows repeated calls from legal experts, bar associations, and the public for an increase in judicial strength, given the growing backlog of cases in the region. The expansion is expected to help reduce delays in legal proceedings, improve efficiency, and streamline the judicial process.
The new appointments will be a welcome development for the legal system, as it will provide the High Court with additional resources to handle the diverse range of cases coming before it, including civil, criminal, and administrative matters. Legal professionals have expressed optimism that the increased strength will help ease the burden on the existing bench and lead to swifter justice delivery.
