Central Government Approves Increase In Sanctioned Bench Strength Of Telangana HC By 75% After CJI Steps In The Long-Pending Approval

What Is The Ruling

• The Central government has agreed to the proposal made by the Telangana High Court to increase its sanctioned Bench strength by 75 percent, from the current 24 judges to 42 judges.
• Out of the42 judges which are appointed, 32 will be Permanent Judges and 10 will be Additional Judges.
• CJI NV Ramana approved the increase in sanctioned Bench strength which will be effective from June 8, 2021.
• Out of the 42 appointed judges, 32 will be Permanent Judges and 10 will be Additional Judges.

What Led To This Decision

• The proposal was sent by the High Court Chief Justice to the Ministry of Law and Justice which they agreed to after intervention by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana.
• The proposal was sent to the Union Minister of Law and Justice by the then Chief Justice of Telangana High Court in February 2019. The proposal was also endorsed by the CM and the then Governor of Telangana. The Ministry examined it in detail but the proposal remained in stasis.
• Justice Ramana soon after assuming the charge as the CJI, took the matter into his hand and reached out to the Prime Minister and Minister of Law and Justice and discussed with them issues concerning judiciary including the request of the High Court of Telangana to increase its sanctioned strength.
• Thereafter, the CJI discussed the matter with the Union Minister of Law and Justice in writing on May 27, 2021.Upon receiving the CJI’s letter, the Ministry concurred with the suggestion to increase the strength and communicated its decision to the CJI on June 7.

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