Lack of judges cripples state judiciary system
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 26 2012: Even though the state government has been making various efforts towards development of the state, people seeking legal assistance to get justice in the state have been hit hard by non-appointment to the vacant post of judges in the Manipur Judicial Services.

According to reliable source, the posts of District and Session Judges Manipur East and Manipur West, Additional District and Session Judges Manipur East and Manipur West, Presiding Officer of Revenue Tribunal, Judge of Family Court, Special Judge of ND & PS and Registrar of Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench are in the charge of Manipur Judicial Services (MJS) Grade I Officers who are also responsible for the functioning of Fast Track Courts Manipur East and Manipur West.

Since there is the possibility of instituting three more fast track courts in the state, there is need for appointing three more Grade I Officers.

MJS Grade II Officers hold the charge of Civil Judge Senior Division, Chief Judicial Magistrates of the nine districts, Administrative Officers and Deputy Registrar of Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench.

MJS Grade III Officers hold the charge of Judicial Magistrates First Class of the nine districts of Manipur and Transport Magistrate.

However, among the various post of the MJS officers, the posts of District and Session Judge Manipur East, Fast Track Court Manipur East, Deputy Registrar of Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench, one Civil Judge Senior Division, CJM Ukhrul, CJM Imphal East, CJM Churachandpur, CJM Bishnupur, one Administrative Officer, one Transport Magistrate, JMIC Chandel, JMIC Senapati and JMIC Tamenglong are lying vacant at present.

Since these posts are lying vacant for a long period, it has affected the functioning of the judiciary system in the state.

Many cases are pending since the post of Additional District and Session Judge Manipur East and Manipur West often remain vacant as the officer in-charge of the post got promoted frequently, the source disclosed.

Lack of judges not only affects the people who are facing civil and criminal cases but also the advocates who are handling these cases.

Unless the government takes up some immediate measures for filling up the vacant post of MJS officers, the judiciary system of the state may collapse completely in the near future, the source added.

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