84 Of 712 Senior Judgeships Vacant

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) As many as 82 high court judgeships across India are currently vacant as are two Supreme Court judgeships as of March 7, Parliament was told today.

The total sanctioned strength of 21 high courts is 686 and that of the apex court 26, Minister of State for Law and Justice K Venkatapathy said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

He said the entire process of initiating appointment proposal of a Supreme Court Judge lies with the Chief Justice of India and a High Court Judge with the respective High Court Chief Justice.

He said this has been the status since the October 6, 1993 Supreme Court Judgement in the Advocates-on-Record case read with its October 28, 1998 Advisory Opinion.

Venkatapathy said the Central government periodically reminds State governments and Union Territories and the High Courts to accord utmost priority to filling up judicial and magisterial posts.

He said filling up High Courts vacancies arising on account of retirements, resignation or elevation of Judges is a continuous consultative process among constitutional authorities.

UNI