More judges for SC: Strength sanctioned but other glitches delay elevation

By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JULY 28, 2009: DR M.Veerappa Moily, Minister of Law and Justice informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2008 on 22nd December, 2008 and it received the assent of the President on 5th February, 2009.

The Supreme Court Registry has informed that “the Judges have not been elevated to the Bench of the Supreme Court so far due to non-availability of accommodation and that delay in appointment of Judges is resulting in accumulation of cases” the Minister informed the Rajya Sabha.

Use of Hindi in Supreme Court

The Law Commission of India in its 216th Report on “Non-Feasibility of Introduction of Hindi as Compulsory Language in the Supreme Court of India” has, inter-alia, recommended that the higher judiciary should not be subjected to any kind of even persuasive change in the present societal context. The said Report was submitted by the Law Commission to the Government after examining the recommendations of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs which, inter-alia, included a suggestion to amend Article 348 of the Constitution of India to enable High Courts and the Supreme Court to deliver orders in Hindi etc. Law Commission did not recommend amendment to Article 348 of the Constitution of India.