**Supreme Court Urges Swift Action on Pending Collegium Recommendations**
The Supreme Court of India has called on the Central Government to expedite the clearance of pending Collegium recommendations for judicial appointments. This appeal comes in light of a staggering backlog of over 700,000 criminal appeals across various High Courts, highlighting a critical shortage of judges in several key jurisdictions.
During a suo motu hearing focused on bail policy and the backlog of appeals, the Supreme Court expressed its hope that the pending recommendations would be addressed promptly. Recent statistics revealed that 29 Collegium recommendations, made since November 2022, remain unprocessed by the Centre. This includes four from 2023, 13 from 2024, and 12 from 2025, along with several reiterated proposals that have yet to be acted upon.
The court emphasized the urgent need to fill judicial vacancies, particularly in High Courts that are currently facing severe shortages. For instance, the Allahabad High Court, which has over 200,000 pending criminal appeals, is operating with only 79 judges, significantly below its sanctioned strength of 160. Similarly, the Bombay High Court has 60 judges against 94 sanctioned positions, while the Calcutta High Court is functioning with just 44 judges out of an approved 72. In Delhi, only 36 judges are in place compared to a sanctioned strength of 60.
The Supreme Court’s call to action underscores the pressing need for judicial reform and the importance of timely appointments to ensure the efficient functioning of the legal system in India.
**FAQ**
**Q: Why is the Supreme Court urging the Centre to expedite Collegium recommendations?**
A: The Supreme Court is urging the Centre to expedite these recommendations due to a significant backlog of over 700,000 criminal appeals and critical judge shortages in several High Courts, which hampers the judicial process.
