Lack of judges derails justice delivery system in State
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, June 02 2014: Lack of judges and staff in various courts including the district chief judicial magistrate courts has hampered dealing with cases in Manipur and deliverance of justice to the plaintiffs.

Talking to media in this regard, chief functionaries of All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) blamed the Central government for all the ails afflicting functioning of the Courts in Manipur and asserted that the 'step-motherly' treatment meted out to the courts in Manipur by the Centre has delayed delivering of justice to the people.

AMBA president Khaidem Mani pointed out that there should be altogether five judges in Manipur Courts but there are only two judges at present.

As per the all India 25 % increment of judges, there should be five judges in Manipur.

Though the Centre has agreed to provide four judges in the state, only two judges are posted.

The government should at least fulfill its commitment to have four judges in the state, said the AMBA president.

The AMBA president further pointed out that earlier there were just two District and Session Judges (Court) in Manipur i.e.Imphal West and Imphal East district but today "we have such courts in the districts of Thoubal, Bishenpur and Senapati as well." The District and Session Judges (Court) in Churachandpur and Ukhrul will be opened any day now.

But with these rising number of courts, the presence of only two judges in the state to deal with the cases is a big problem today, Khaidem Mani said.

Besides these courts, there are now Grade-1 and Grade -II courts and district level Chief Judicial Magistrate (Courts) in all districts.

In addition, there are also courts of Judicial Magistrate First Class.

Given this scenario, the AMBA president urged the concerned authority to post adequate number of judges and staff in Manipur to deal with the rising number of cases.

With regard to shortage of staff, Khaidem Mani pointed out that there should be at least 58 staffs in each District and Session Judge (Court).

If the posting of 58 staff is not possible then there should be a minimum of 39 staff in the District and Session Judge (court).

In each Grade 1 and Grade -II court, there should be a minimum staff of 14 while in the First Class category there should be 9 staff compulsorily posted.

Regarding Thoubal District and Session Judge (court), Mani stated that there was a post creation of 24 staff but only 16 staffs are operating there.

In Bishnupur District and Session Judge (Court), the post creation was 14 staff but only 10 staffs are working in the court.

Regarding Senapati District and Session Judge (court) there was a post creation of 16 but only 11 of them are working presently.

On the other hand, the 'Fast Tract Courts' in Manipur have been in existence since 2001 on adhoc basis with five years extension.

"Today these Fast Tract Courts have become permanent courts in Manipur but the staffs are working on adhoc basis still with 2 to 3 staff in each court," Mani further pointed out.

He then said there should be around 400 staff in all te courts in Manipur but "we have only around 200 staff" .

With cases of crime against women and drug related cases fast rising in Manipur, the shortage of judges and staffs in Manipur has given serious hurdles in delivering justice to the people.

Khaidem Mani urged the government to give attention to the problems at the earliest before the people get agitated.

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