Madurai: The previous NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government had attempted to saffronise the judiciary, which led to delay in filling up of vacancies in courts, Union Law, and Justice Minister H R Bhardwaj has alleged.

"There were many vacancies in various courts, which had not been filled for a long time. The judicial appointments probably got delayed due to an attempt to saffronise it", he told members of the Congress Legal Wing and reporters in Madurai yesterday (Jul 24, 2004).

The Minister said the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government would make efforts to fill all vacancies with good judges. Already vacancies in three High Courts had been filled and in another three months vacancies would be filled in three more courts, Bhardwaj, who was in connection with the inauguration of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, said.

Besides, a package was also being worked out to fill the vacancies in various panels, he said adding the objective of the present Government was to ensure that no lawyer was without job.

Government would create more legal aid cells to provide jobs for the young advocates and also help the poor people, Bhardwaj.