‘Can’t be done at drop of a hat’: HC recalls directions for blueprint to expeditiously fill 3,000 judicial posts

The HC registry sought review of January 28 orders including direction to provide the blueprint of the steps intended to follow in 2026 to fill up such posts.

It was further argued that the said directions were beyond the judicial review as the recruitments are under the exclusive purview of administrative side of the HC under administrative committee of the judges led by the Chief Justice of the HC.

The registry also submitted that purpose of PIL was served as as amendments were made to Maharashtra Judicial Service Rules, 2008 and additional posts were created.

The HC was also informed that the National Court Management Systems Committee (NCMSC) had recommended creation of 3,211 more posts of judges across Maharashtra to deal with the increased caseload.The posts include District judges, Civil Judge Junior and Senior Division, Chief and Additional Metropolitan Magistrates, Chief and other judges of Small Causes courts.

Justice Dangre-led bench deliberated on difficulties in finding suitable candidates as judges, multiple-stage process of screening, interviews and scrutiny of service records and orally remarked, “The appointment of judicial officers cannot happen at the drop of a hat. We can not simply pick up people and appoint, fill up the post. We have to bring quality. We cannot just appoint people, like you appoint the clerks.”

The HC allowed the review plea and recalled earlier directions and noted a statement by the PIL petitioner that he was satisfied with the present steps taken for recruitment including advertisements issued for 89 district cadre posts.

The HC allowed Vaze to withdraw his plea and granted him liberty to approach HC in case of worsening situation and insufficient steps.