Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Madras high courts to get 14 new judges

The appointments take the total number of vacancies in the 24 high courts down from 420 to 406. The total sanctioned strength of high court judges is 1,079.

The law ministry on Friday notified the appointment of 14 new judges in three high courts — in what is one of the largest set of appointments on a day in recent months — said a top ranking government official who did not wish to be named.

The approved strength of the Madras high court is 75, but it is has 56 judges — a shortfall of 19. (PTI File Photo)

Seven new (additional) judges were appointed to the Madras high court, five to Madhya Pradesh HC, and two to Karnataka HC, said the official quoting ministry notifications. The appointments take the total number of vacancies in the 24 HCs down from 420 to 406. The total sanctioned strength of HC judges is 1,079. The decision comes a day after the appointment of justice Krishna Murari as chief justice of Punjab and Haryana HC.

The approved strength of the Madras high court is 75, but it is has 56 judges — a shortfall of 19. The MP high court is short of 22 judges, against the sanctioned strength of 53.

The approved strength of the Karnataka high court is 62 whereas its working strength is 29.