Law Minister shares data on social background of High Court judges in the Lok Sabha

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that of the 604 judges appointed since 2018 to various High Courts, 454 belong to general category.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that of the 604 judges appointed since 2018 to various High Courts, 454 belong to general category.

Mr. Meghwal’s written answer was in response to a question by Lok Sabha member and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader, Asaduddin Owaisi, who asked if “79% of the High Court judges appointed since 2018 belonged to upper castes”.

The Minister also informed the member that judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed under Articles 124, 217 and 224 of the Constitution of India, that do not provide for reservation for any caste or class.

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However, he said, the government has been requesting the Chief Justices of High Courts to ensure social diversity by considering suitable candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), minorities and women.

Mr. Meghwal gave a break-up of the social background of the judges on the basis of an annexure that they are supposed to fill at the time of recommendation.

“As per information provided by the recommendees, out of 604 High Court Judges appointed since 2018 till 17.07.2023, 458 Judges belong to the General Category….,” the Minister replied. Though Mr. Meghwal didn’t give a percentage, it works out over 75 % of the appointees.