CJ for more transparent appointment of judges
New Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha today voiced for a more transparent procedure in the appointment of judges in higher courts in light with the constitution.
“We will have to see whether our constitutional provision to appointment judges in the HC can be done in a more transparent manner,” he said. And as a reference, he pulled up the example of neighbouring India where there are laws for judges’ appointment.
Referring to the existing procedures judges’ appointment process in lower court, he said, “The process is transparent and independent. We have already established a method in this regard.”
“SC judges and university teachers examine test papers of the judges. There is no shortcoming in the process. There is no instance of leaking question papers yet. This will not happen in the future,” he added.
He also emphasised on doubling the number of judges in courts across the country.
“About 3,65,059 cases are awaiting disposal at the High Court and Supreme Court and 24,95,944 in the district courts across the country,” the chief justice said while addressing his felicitation programme at apex court premises.
“But, against such huge number of cases there are 94 judges employed at the High Court and Supreme Court while 1,500 in the district levels,” he added. “It is evident, that the number of judges is small compared to the cases pending disposal.”
Besides, the cumbersome legal system and administration of the country makes it difficult for a judge to take any shortcut approach in hearing and disposing the cases, he added.
“In order to address the problem, we have no alternative but to increase the number of judges and there. The number of judges should be doubled at the least, Justice Sinha said.
“In all cases, the judges should have an objective to provide fair and just decision to the people,” he said.
The chief justice was speaking at a gathering of lawyers at his courtroom after Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Supreme Court Bar Association President Khandakar Mahbub Hossain felicitated him as the new head of the judiciary.
Justice Sinha said terrorism cannot be curbed without a mechanism that would work effectively and ensure punishment of the true offender and perpetrator at minimum time cost.
“Nowadays, investigating agencies are found not sufficiently skilled and committed to the collection of evidence and materials in support of the charge made against an accused,” he said.
“Recently, after watching the trials of some sensational cases, it has occurred to me that an alleged offender cannot be convicted for the lack of legal evidence and materials which are supposed to be procured at the investigation stage.”
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