The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought a response from the city government on a petition seeking to make fast-track courts (FTC) a permanent feature by sanctioning more posts of judges and ancillary staff.
A Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A.J. Bhambhani also issued notice to the Registrar General of the High Court on the petition filed by a lawyer.
The petition has claimed that FTCs at the level of additional district or session judge was being run on ad hoc or temporary basis, and the Supreme Court in 2012 had directed that either they be discontinued or made permanent. It has also claimed that there is a shortfall of over 200 judges in the subordinate judiciary which has led to an increase in pendency of cases, including those of sexual assault against minors and rape, in the lower courts.
Shortage of courts
The petition has also alleged that there is a shortage of commercial courts at the district-level and has sought creation of 22 posts with ancillary staff for this purpose.
“The present petition is necessitated in view of the delay by the Government of NCT of Delhi to take any action or decision in respect of the establishment of FTCs on a permanent basis and its insistence on extending the scheme on an ad hoc basis,” the plea said.