Parliament Question: Vacancies in lower judiciary

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1519 ANSWERED ON 12/02/2026 VACANCIES IN LOWER JUDICIARY 1519. SHRI JAVED ALI KHAN: Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state: (a) the details of vacancies of administrative and clerical staffs in lower judiciary as on date, State- wise; (b) the details of vacancies filled up during the last three years and the current year, till date, State- wise with particular district-wise reference to Delhi; (c) whether the Government is aware of instances of suicides by administrative and clerical staffs in lower judiciary in Delhi, recently, due to vacancies and consequent work pressure; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of steps Government/High Courts would take to fill up the vacancies to avoid such instances? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) (a) to (e): Filling up of vacancies of administrative and clerical staffs in lower judiciary does not fall in the purview of the Central Government. As per the extant provision under Article(s) 227 and 235 of the Constitution of India, the power of superintendence and control over all district courts and courts subordinate thereto under its jurisdiction is vested in the respective High Courts. The information regarding vacancies of administrative and clerical staffs in lower judiciary, state- wise and vacancies filled up during the last three years and the current year, till date, state-wise is not centrally maintained. The Government has been informed by the Delhi High Court regarding one suicidal death of Mr. Harish Singh Mahar, Ahlmad, posted in the Court of Ld. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) (Digital Traffic Court), South-East District (SED), Saket Court Complex on 09.01.2026. The matter has been reported to the police and the investigation remains within the domain of the police. As per information provided by the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, a suicide note was recovered from the pocket of the deceased by the attending doctor. As per the contents of the note, the deceased mentioned work-related pressure as the reason for committing suicide and stated that no person should be held responsible for the incident. The deceased, who was 60% physically handicapped by birth, requested that light duties be assigned to persons with disabilities. ******