CJ recuses himself from hearing PIL on HC judge vacancies

Acting Chief Justice H G Ramesh recused himself from hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on filling of the vacancies of judges in Karnataka High Court on Thursday.

Acting chief justice Ramesh recused to hear the PIL as he is a party to the petition.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by retired high court judge Justice A N Venugopalgowda, seeking the filling up of 37 vacancies for the posts of judges which are pending since a long time.

The order stated," As High Court of Karnataka is a respondent to this petition, let this petition be listed before a Bench not comprising of the Honourable Acting Chief Justice."

According to the petitioner, the pending vacancies are taking a toll on the existing judges due to the mounting pendency of cases in the court.