FROM PAGE 3

law ministry issued a notification on November 20 last year.

Subsequently, a circular was issued inviting applications from candidates for the posts of HC judges and more than 250 candidates, including lower court judges and practising SC lawyers with at least 10 years of experience, applied, SC sources said.

Contacted, SC Registrar General Mohammad Habibur Rahman Siddiquee said a requisition had been sent to the president for appointing the new HC judges.

But the activities of the council came to a halt after the repeal of the SC Judges Appointment Ordinance, he said.

The registrar general said there were shortages of judges in both the Appellate and HC divisions.

However, the number of case disposals in both divisions has increased in recent months after Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury took initiatives for early hearing and disposal of long-pending cases, he added.

The number of HC judges reached its peak at 113 on August 25 last year, following the appointment of 25 new judges. The number has since fallen to 101 after the resignation, removal and retirement of nine judges, and the elevation of two others to the Appellate Division.

The SC currently has five judges. One of them will retire on July 15. Around 38,000 cases are pending before this division.

The highest number of judges ever to serve in the Appellate Division was 11, recorded in June 2009.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman declined to comment on the issue.