The Bombay High Court has expressed serious concern over the severe staff shortage that is hampering its functioning and has directed the Maharashtra government to take immediate action. The court has asked the State to promptly review and decide on the staffing proposals submitted by the High Court Registry.
Court Expresses Frustration Over Delays
A Bench of Justice AS Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata issued the directive while hearing a case initiated by the court itself regarding the staffing crisis. The judges emphasized that the matter cannot be delayed any further.
“We don’t want to see it delayed… We will ensure that it is worked out expeditiously,” the Bench stated firmly.
How Staff Shortage Is Affecting Court Operations
The judges provided specific examples of how the staff shortage is disrupting daily judicial work.
- Justice Gadkari highlighted that many petitions were not being properly scanned and uploaded due to a lack of technical staff.
- He explained that in a list of 50 cases, only 10 were available in a properly scanned format, while the rest were not even accessible to the judges.
- He also pointed out that some judges rely on online petitions, but the system is often dysfunctional, preventing them from reviewing cases efficiently.
The Court further stressed that simply appointing staff is not enough—they must also be trained in handling modern digital and technical requirements to keep up with the changing legal landscape.
Future Staffing Needs Must Be Considered
The Bench instructed the State government to not only focus on current staff shortages but also to plan for the future.
“When the new High Court building is constructed, we must take into account the changing nature of litigation, especially commercial litigation,” the Court observed.
Court Initiated Case Due to Repeated Issues
The Bombay High Court had initiated this case after observing serious disruptions in its work due to staff shortages. In December 2024, the Court noted that:
- Court files were often misplaced due to a lack of storage and racks.
- Insufficient staff was causing delays in document annexing, binding, and paginating.
- Digital filing was not fully functional because of a shortage of scanning equipment and technical staff.
Despite efforts to modernize the judicial system, the shortage of technical personnel meant that many cases remained unprocessed in the e-filing system, making it difficult to move towards a paperless court.
Government Assures Action
During the latest hearing, Advocate PM Palshikar and Advocate Aditya Udeshi, representing the High Court Registry, informed the Bench that a proposal for additional staff had been sent to the State government in December 2024. Another proposal was submitted on Thursday, outlining staffing requirements for the next 15 years.
In response, Additional Government Pleader (AGP) Abhay Patki assured the Court that the government would consider the proposals without delay. The Court suggested that AGP Patki coordinate a meeting with the Principal Secretary of the Law and Judiciary Department to resolve the matter at the earliest.
“Why don’t you coordinate a meeting with the Principal Secretary?” the Court asked.
AGP Patki agreed, stating that the highest officials of the High Court Registry could engage with the government to ensure a swift resolution. He assured the Bench that the State authorities would not create any obstacles in the process.
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