Bombay High Court Calls For Affidavit From State On Steps Taken To Fill Administrative Vacancies In Motor Accident Claims Tribunal
The Bombay High Court has directed the State government to file an affidavit on the steps being taken by it to fill up the administrative vacancies in the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Mumbai.A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre was hearing the Bar Association Of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Mumbai's petition filed in 2022 seeking direction to the State...
The Bombay High Court has directed the State government to file an affidavit on the steps being taken by it to fill up the administrative vacancies in the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Mumbai.
A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre was hearing the Bar Association Of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Mumbai's petition filed in 2022 seeking direction to the State to fill up the administrative staff vacancies of the tribunal in time bound manner.
Through an order dated 26 April 2023, the Court had similarly directed the State to file an affidavit on steps taken by it to fill the vacancies.
Chief Justice Aradhe orally remarked that it has been more than a year since the order was passed and remarked “You must apprise us what have you done for past one year...there is a statutory mandate in the Motor Vehicles Act that claims be decided in time bound manner”. He further said “You had filed an affidavit 13 February 2023...what have you done..please apprise us..we'll grant you some time”
The State counsel said that they have taken steps to fill up the vacancies, however, this was disputed by the petitioners in their rejoinder affidavit.
The Court in its order observed, “The motor claims cases are required to be decided expeditiously and, until and unless adequate infrastructure is provided in the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, the vision of speedy justice to victims of motor accidents cannot be made into reality.”
The Court thus asked the State government to file an affidavit and submit a progress report.
It listed the matter for further hearing on 27 February.
Case title: The Bar Association Of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Mumbai vs. The State Of Maharashtra And Anr (WP(L)/33185/2022)