IMPHAL, December 5: Other than the many pending cases in the High Court of Manipur, the delivery of justice has taken more than 20 years in some cases. In such a scenario, it is necessary to appoint the required judges to ensure speedy delivery of justice, said High Court Bar Association of Manipur senior executive member senior advocate N Kumarjit today.
He was appealing to the concerned authorities to appoint the needed judges during a press conference held at the HCBAM conference hall inside the High Court of Manipur compound.
He said since Manipur achieved Statehood on January 21, 1972, it was requisite for the State to have a separate High Court under the provisions of the Constitution of India which was not fulfilled for long. A separate High Court of the State was set up only in 2013 which was inaugurated on March 25, 2013, he said.
Since the setting up of the High Court of Manipur, demands have been made to appoint at least five out of the minimum seven judges necessary he continued.
The senior advocate said the Chief Minister had supported the demand of the HCBAM and had even accompanied a delegation to place the demand before the previous Union Law Minister during which the Centre had assured three judges for the High Court of Manipur.
However, after much cajoling from the State government and the HCBAM, the Centre had decided that the number of judges for the court would be five and to appoint four judges first and appoint the fifth after some six months, he said lamenting that the assurance is yet to be turned into action.
On November 26, 2014, the number of judges of the High Court was increased to three from just two and now it is time for the government to appoint the remaining judges as was assured earlier he said.
At the same time, there are only around 30 courts in the State, whereas Nagaland and Mizoam have more than 100 courts, although Manipur has a higher population than the two States, the senior advocate continued.
He said the association had also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister during his recent visit to the State capital for the closing function of Sangai Festival to appoint the needed judges and set up more subordinate courts in the sub-divisions.
Today`™s press meet was also attended by HCBAM president L Shyamkishwor Singh and other members.