"Enough is enough", said the Supreme Court on Thursday expressing displeasure over tardy approach of different high courts and state governments in filling up vacant posts for judges in lowers courts and providing proper infrastructure for them.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on its own had taken note of over 5,000 vacancies for judicial officers and directed all the 24 high courts and 36 states and UTs to apprise it of remedial measures.
On Thursday, it took stock of the situation in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and the North-Eastern states.
"We want our judges. We want our judges to function. We want courtrooms, infrastructure and man power (support staff) for them. They say that there is pendency. Enough is enough...," said the bench, which also comprised Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph.
"Some part of the problem has to be dealt with. We will show them (government) that there is not adequate courtrooms, staffs and residences for judges," it added.
The top court was particularly critical of the lack of progress in states like UP, Delhi and West Bengal.
In day-long hearing, the bench first perused the responses of the UP government, UP Public Services Commission (UPPSC) and the Registrar General of the Allahabad High Court on vacancies, the recruitment process and the aspects relating to man power and infrastructure for the judges.
On being informed that there were around 1,000 vacancies of judicial officers in UP, the bench said, "We are going to ensure that these 1,000 posts (of judicial officers) are filled up."