AP govt issues order for establishment of 96 additional courts

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh govt on Monday issued orders for establishment of 96 additional courts across the state with a view to expand the judicial infrastructure to address pendency and improve access to justice. The cabinet recently approved a proposal for establishment of the additional courts.Out of the 96 courts sanctioned, 12 courts are in the cadre of district and sessions Judge, 25 courts in the cadre of civil judge (senior division), and 59 courts in the cadre of civil judge (junior division). The orders include the creation of posts for support staff as per the approved structure and sanction for expenditure.The decision follows proposals submitted by the high court, seeking augmentation of court strength at multiple locations. The govt has approved the creation of 1,730 posts across various categories, including judicial officers, administrative staff and support personnel, as per prescribed staffing patterns.With the latest sanction, the cadre strength of district judges will increase from 176 to 188, civil judges (senior division) from 138 to 163, and civil judges (junior division) from 329 to 388. The govt said the posts will be formally included in the respective cadre strength on issuance of the order.The new district and sessions courts will be set up at locations including Amalapuram, Guntur, Gudivada, Kurnool, Nandyal, Visakhapatnam, Gajuwaka, Narsipatnam and Proddatur. Several of these will function as additional family courts-cum-district courts.At the civil judge (senior division) level, courts have been sanctioned in Anantapuramu, Tadipatri, Ramachandrapuram, Sattenapalli, Mangalagiri, Vijayawada, Nuzvid, Gudur, Visakhapatnam, Gajuwaka, Bheemunipatnam, Bhimavaram, Nidadavole, Jangareddygudem and Proddatur, among others.The 59 civil judge (junior division)-cum-judicial magistrate of first class courts will be established across multiple districts, including Anantapuramu, Chittoor, East Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Kurnool, Prakasam, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and West Godavari.Each court will be provided with budgetary support for contingent expenditure and infrastructure, including library and furniture. The order also allows engagement of masalchi services from administrative expenses, as required.