Haryana has once again staked its claim of having a separate High Court. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has, in fact, categorically stated that having its own high court is Haryana’s “constitutional right”.
He not only called for “bifurcation” of the existing High Court situated in Chandigarh, but also that of the judges, and the staff of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
“Separate High Court for Haryana is the constitutional right of the State and it can be realized by bifurcating the existing premises, judges and staff of the Punjab and Haryana High Court,” Hooda said while addressing the conference of Chief Ministers of States and Chief Justices of the High Courts in New Delhi.
This will not only answer the aspirations of the people of the State, but would also help strengthen the judicial system in Haryana, he added.
Hooda also demanded that the ratio of judges between the two States in the Punjab and Haryana High Court should be adjusted keeping in view with the recent trend that more litigation cases are originating from Haryana than Punjab.
“The trend must be duly reflected in the number of posts of judges assigned to Haryana. It would be appropriate that the present ratio of 60:40 of judges be changed to 50:50 between Punjab and Haryana,” he added.
Also reiterating that there should be the formation of an All India Judicial Service, Hooda also supported the initiative of the National Court Management System.
“We further support all efforts to create a National Judicial Data Grid as a part of e-Courts programme. However, its interface with Government departments may also be encouraged so as to derive maximum benefits this initiative,” he added.
Referring to the main concerns, including pendency of cases, vacancies in courts, lack of infrastructure in courts and the need to modernise systems, Hooda said that the State has never let deficiency of funds or resources come in the way of achieving the constitutional mandate of speedy justice.
The Chief Minister also said that besides increasing the number of judges, courts and improving the infrastructure, litigation should be reduced.