Goa Law Minister Aleixo Sequeira informed the legislative assembly about a shortage of 18 judges across 10 different courts, including district courts, in the state. In a written reply tabled in the House, the minister provided details regarding the vacancies.
According to the data, there is a shortage of four judges in the civil and criminal courts in South Goa’s Margao, and a shortage of three judges at the district and sessions court in the same town. North Goa’s Panaji faces a shortage of two judges each at its district and sessions court, civil and criminal court, and the civil and criminal court in Mapusa.
Furthermore, there is a shortage of one judge each in the civil and criminal courts in Ponda (South Goa), Bicholim (North Goa), Gram Nyayalaya, Sattari at Valpoi (North Goa), Vasco (South Goa), and Gram Nyayalaya, Sanguem (South Goa).
The additional judge strength for the state has been calculated based on the ‘Unit System’ in accordance with the interim report of the National Court Management System (NCMS) Committee, as directed by the Supreme Court.
Sequeira stated that under Article 229 of the Constitution, the entire process of filling judicial officer posts in Goa is conducted by the Bombay High Court. The minister also mentioned in a detailed reply that the process to fill the judge vacancies is currently underway.
