The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

At least 274,000 cases are now pending with the Supreme Court for disposal as lawyers and court officials said shortage of judges in the highest court increases the backlog everyday.

"Of the pending cases 6,500 awaits decision of the Appellate Division where the number of judges currently is 5 against the sanctioned positions for seven," a senior official of the Supreme Court Registrar office said.

He said the number of judges in the High Court Division is 61 while the figure was 69 four years ago.

Two of the 69 judges were elevated to the Appellate Division, four went on retirement or resigned and two others were not confirmed as permanent judge as they were appointed as additional judges for two years.

"No judge was appointed to the Supreme Court in the past four years," he said.

The official said none of the cases, which were tried under Emergency Power Rules (EPR) in special courts in recent period, were disposed in the High Court as they came up for appeal hearing.

Court officials said 19 judges were appointed as additional judges four years ago while 17 of them were confirmed after two years and since then no new judge was appointed there.

Lawyers said appointment of judges should be immediately made from among competent lawyers for quicken the justice delivery system in the highest court.