No CJI Proposal To Recruit HC Judges Through Entrance Test

New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI) Case arrears in high courts are increasing, the government told Parliament today-- ascribing the rise to growing population and litigtion, frequent adjournments and delays in filling judicial vacancies.

But Law and Justice Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj denied receiving any proposal from India's Chief Justice to recruit judges through an entrance test on the model of civil services examination.

He was asked whether the Chief Justice has urged filling up the large number of vacancies by recruiting judges through an entrance test on the model of civil services examinations.

In his written reply in Rajya Sabha, Mr Bhardwaj said, ''no such proposal has been received'' insofar as High Court or Supreme Court was concerned.

He estimated the pendency in India's 21 high courts currently at 34,24,518-- up from 33,79,033 on December 31, 2004 and 32,39,295 on December 31, 2003.

He said it is the highest in Allahabad High Court, 7,38,781 cases; followed by Bombay HC, 3,45,942; Madras HC, 2,89,365; Calcutta HC, 2,52,718; Punjab and Haryana HC, 2,38,614; and Madhya Pradesh HC, 2,01,902.

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