It is bewildering to note that the judge-population ratio has stood at 18:10 lakh. If the Law Commission had recommended 50 judges in 1987, the report has ostensibly not received government attention. Even the slackness on the part of successive governments both at the Centre and in states in appointing judges commensurate with the growing number of cases has rendered the judiciary to go on slow in disposal of cases. If the judges' strength is 18 for every 10 lakhs, it doesn't mean there is pressure on 18 judges to handle 10 lakh cases. The reports must reveal the ratio of judges to the pendency of cases. The litigant public in need of justice is scared to moving courts considering the inordinate delay expected in disposal of cases. The governments have an obligation to do away with this fear. For this to happen, an adequate number of judges must be appointed, more courts has to be set up, excessive adjournments should be eliminated, court holidays must be curtailed besides a number of other measures.
K V Seetharamaiah Hassan
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