To move High Court seeking urgent judicial appointments as case pendency rises
Margao: The South Goa Advocates Association (SGAA) has resolved to approach the High Court of Bombay at Goa seeking redressal over the delayed disposal of litigations due to vacant courts and to pursue directions for the immediate appointment of judges in the trial courts of South Goa, which are facing a severe shortage of judicial officers.
Speaking to reporters after an extraordinary meeting chaired by association president Prasad Naik, the lawyers said they have decided to approach the High Court with their long-pending demand for filling vacant judicial posts.
“At present, six courtrooms in the Margao court complex remain without presiding officers, a situation that has persisted for a considerable period,” said Naik, adding that this vacancy has had a deep impact on the administration of justice in South Goa. “It has resulted in an increasing pendency of cases, inordinate delays in hearings and judgments, and growing frustration among litigants and advocates alike,” he said.
Earlier, the association had submitted a detailed representation to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay, requesting urgent intervention and highlighting the crisis due to the non-functioning of multiple courts in one of the busiest judicial complexes in South Goa.
“Despite their concerns being placed before the Chief Justice, no appointments have been made to date,” said Naik.
The association said that justice delayed is justice denied and that continued inaction threatens the very fabric of the legal system and undermines public confidence in the judiciary. The lack of adequate judicial manpower also burdens the remaining sitting judges, further slowing the pace of justice.
Naik said, “Having exhausted all avenues of communication and representation, the South Goa Advocates Association has now resolved to approach the High Court through a writ petition.”
He said the petition will seek appropriate judicial directions to the authorities concerned, including the state government and High Court administration, to take immediate and necessary steps to fill the vacant posts and ensure the full functioning of the Margao trial courts.
Naik said that there are no judges in six out of the 10 courts in Margao catering to Salcete taluka. He said there are a total of 10 courts, four being senior civil judges and six being junior civil judges.
“Out of four senior civil judges, one court is not functioning since there is no incumbent judge. In the case of junior civil judges, the situation is very grave since, out of six junior civil judge courts, presently only one junior judge is presiding. None of the other five junior civil judge courts are functioning since there are no incumbent judges in those courts,” Naik said.
