Law Minister has assured that Collegium recommendations to High Courts will be cleared soon: CJI NV Ramana

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has assured that the recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium for appointment of judges to High Courts will be cleared soon, Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana said on Saturday.

The CJI said that since May this year, the Collegium has recommended more than 106 judges to High courts and 9 chief justices to various High Courts.

"The government has cleared some and Law Minister has informed me that rest of it are going to come in one or two days time. I thank the central government for clearing these vacancies and quick access to justice," the CJI said.

These appointments will tackle pendency to some extent, he added.

The CJI was speaking at the launch of 6-week long ‘Pan India Legal Awareness and Outreach Campaign’ of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

The CJI also said that COVID-19 created problems to various institutions and judiciary was no exception.

"Thousands of cases have accumulated in different forums, apart from large vacancies and non working of courts and lack of virtual conferencing facilities in rural areas. Pandemic has exposed some deep rooted problems," he said.

The CJI also stressed on the importance of ensuring access to justice to all including the vulnerable sections.

"Guarantee of equal justice will be rendered meaningless if the vulnerable sections cannot enforce their rights. Equality and access to justice complement each other. In this country people, should feel law and institution is for everyone. In a democratic country, it is the faith and trust of people that strengthens institutions, we must earn that faith. Wuality of democracy rests on quality of justice," the CJI said.

In this regard, the CJI highlighted the significance of the programme launched by NALSA.

"NALSA is embarking on this ambitious 6 week program today and concluding on the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The goal should be 'if the needy cannot reach us we will reach the needy'," he stated

To achieve these, all three organs of the government have to work together, he emphasised.

"I seek cooperation and support from govt to ease access to justice and strengthen the democracy," the CJI said.

[Read full text of Speech by CJI Ramana]