79% of HC judges appointed in 5 years are Upper Castes
A presentation given by the Union Government to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice shows 79% of the High Court judges appointed during the period 2018-2022 are from upper castes(general category).
According to the presentation, reported by Indian Express, from 2018 to December 19, 2022, 537 judges were appointed to various High Courts.
79 per cent were from the General Category, 11 per cent from Other Backward Classes, 2.6 per cent from the minority, 2.8 per cent from Scheduled Castes and 1.3 per cent from Scheduled Tribes.
The law ministry said
As per Articles 217 and 224 of the Constitution, the judge appointment does not provide for reservation for any caste or class of persons.
It has been urging the Chief Justices that while sending proposals for the appointment of judges, due consideration should be given to suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and women to ensure social diversity
