New Delhi, September 18
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has sought Centre’s intervention in setting up special courts in Patiala and Jalandhar to try influential persons involved in cases of corruption.

Speaking at a conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts on “Envisioning justice in the 21st century”, he said special courts would help dispose of cases of corruption speedily and punish the guilty.

He said 140 such cases were pending in various courts in Punjab and their “prosecution was very tardy”.

The Chief Minister said his government had already sanctioned requisite posts and provided necessary infrastructure to set up these courts but the matter was pending with the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Chief Minister sought Centre’s intervention to set up these courts soon “so that the campaign against corruption was not hampered”.

Expressing concern over the burgeoning number of cases under hearing in courts, the Chief Minister said 2,25,373 civil cases and 3,04,735 criminal cases were pending in district and subordinate courts in Punjab, besides 2,50,000 in the High Court.

He urged the Centre to fill 26 vacant posts of judges in the High Court.

He said efforts were being made by the state government to fill 37 vacant posts of civil judges and judicial magistrates.

He added that fast track courts had been introduced that were helping in disposing of pending cases.

The Chief Minister said proposal of fast track magisterial courts was also on the anvil.

The state government was not in favour of entrusting selection of subordinate judicial officers to High Courts, he added.

Under Article 320 of the Constitution, the duty was to be performed by State Public Service Commissions, he said.

He, however, added that a sitting judge of the High Curt could participate in the selection process.