PORVORIM: Minister for Legislative Affairs, Law and Judiciary, Environment, and Captain of Ports Aleixo Sequeira on Friday informed the House that a shortage of judges is impeding the establishment of additional family courts.
In response to a private member's resolution calling for the creation of special family courts in each taluka due to the significant backlog of cases in civil courts, Sequeira said, "I completely agree with the need for family courts.
However, we face a challenge due to a shortage of 18 judges. With 12 talukas, setting up family courts in all would require at least 12 judges. I will review the situation and explore possible solutions."
MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, who presented the resolution, highlighted the rising number of cases in Margao. "In Margao's civil court, 281 marriage petitions were filed in 2023, and in the last six months of this year alone, 144 cases have been filed. Some of these cases involve minors who are caught in their parents' litigation," Tuenkar noted. He added, "Divorce cases are increasing daily, and there is a pressing need for special courts to handle these specific cases separately from other types of litigation."
Satisfied with the Minister's response, Tuenkar later withdrew the resolution.