Out of 604 High Court Judges appointed since 2018, 458 Judges belong to the General Category, said the Ministry of Law and Justice.
On the second day of the 2023 Monsoon Session of Parliament, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, asked the Ministry whether it is a fact that 79% judges appointed in all High Courts were from upper castes during the last five years indicating inequitable representation of backward and minorities.
The Ministry’s reply stated that as per information provided by the recommendees, out of 604 High Court Judges appointed since 2018, 458 Judges belong to the General Category, 18 Judges belong to the SC category, 9 belong to the ST category, 72 Judges belong to the OBC category, 34 Judges belong to Minority and for the remaining 13 Judges there is no information available.
Owaisi also asked whether it is true that only 2.6% of the total 537 judges since 2018 were from sections other than upper castes, and if the Union government has urged CJI and CJs of High courts to address the issue of social diversity and social justice.
“However, the Government has been requesting the Chief Justices of High Courts that while sending proposals for appointment of Judges, due consideration be given to suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Women to ensure social diversity in the appointment of Judges in High Courts,” the reply added, according to Live Law.
