Ranchi: Union law minister Dr Ashwani Kumar said here on Saturday that 1,800 new judges would be recruited soon to fill up vacancies in fast track courts.
‘Fast track courts have not been able to start functioning due to non-availability of judges therefore to help fill vacancies in fast track courts, 1,800 new posts of subordinate judicial officers will be created,’ he said in a press conference here adding that such courts will not only try criminal cases of rape and murder but will also take up civil cases.
Adding further he said that quota of judges which will be appointed in a particular state has also been decided.
While Maharashtra will get 180 judges Jharkhand will too have a fair share, the minister said without divulging the entire number.
Mr Kumar who was on his maiden visit to the state said that after receiving the report of the Justice JS Verma committee, the union cabinet in a record time had approved the promulgation of an ordinance introducing harsher jail terms for crimes against women, including death penalty in extreme cases of sexual assault.
‘The ordinance was likely to assume the shape of law after being passed in the next session of Parliament,’ he said adding that the ordinance on crimes against women also had sufficient clauses to prevent its misuse however any new suggestions or corrections will also be accommodated.
Adding further, the minister said that the government was fully committed to implement the Gram Nyayalaya Act, 2008 according to which gram nyayalayas to be set up in all the states.
‘Under this Act, at every development block level, and block level, we will have new judicial officers to settle and decide normal disputes between people for which the litigants will then not have to come to the district and the state capitals, thereby saving considerable amount of money and time,’ he said.
Replying to a query regarding if there will be changes in the Juvenile Justice, the minister said that separate discussion was going on over the matter.’The Home Ministry is doing its work on the issue,’ he said. (UNI)