The Jharkhand judiciary, like that of the rest of India, is an orderly and intricate mechanism for upholding justice, enforcing rule of law, and functioning as a forum of conflict resolution. Although Jharkhand was carved out as a separate state only in the year 2000, its judicial tradition traces its origins to the broader Bihar system and is firmly grounded in the common law traditions of India. Here, in this blog, we will talk about the hierarchy of judicial officers of Jharkhand, tracing the path from the Civil Judge to the District Judge, and studying the functions, duties, and significance of every office.
Organization of the Jharkhand Judiciary
The Jharkhand judiciary operates at three general levels:
- Subordinate Judiciary (District and below)
- High Court (Jharkhand High Court at Ranchi)
- Supreme Court (National level, appeals from Jharkhand High Court can come here)
The central theme of this article is the Subordinate Judiciary — specifically the hierarchical stream from Civil Judge to District Judge.
Entry Point: Civil Judge (Junior Division)
A Jharkhand judicial officer’s career typically starts as a Civil Judge (Junior Division). It is the entry-point judicial post.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Adjudication of minor civil disputes such as disputes relating to immovable property, rent control matters, and small contractual disputes.
- Handling original suits upto a certain monetary limit (different in different jurisdictions).
- Issuing interim orders, injunctions, and interim relief.
- Carrying out administrative tasks in their courts like administration of court schedules and proceedings.
Recruitment Process:
- By way of the Jharkhand Judicial Service Examination conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).
- Applicants must be holders of Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized university.
Promotion to Civil Judge (Senior Division)
After a few years of service and after evaluation, a Civil Judge (Junior Division) is promoted to Civil Judge (Senior Division).
Responsibilities and Functions:
- Handling more complex and higher-value civil cases.
- Guiding and guiding junior division judges.
- Conducting cases in family law, succession, and disputes arising in wills and inheritance.
After passing the junior-to-senior divisional barrier, a judge makes a considerable career advancement, on the basis of growing confidence in his handling.
The Task of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM)
At the same time, a Civil Judge (Junior Division) or (Senior Division) can be given criminal judicial responsibilities as an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM).
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Disposition of criminal cases involving imprisonment for not more than seven years.
- Conducting preliminary hearings, granting warrants, release on bail, and taking down witness depositions.
- Ensuring smooth trials of criminal cases in the district court.
ACJM plays an important role in conducting speedy trial and disposal of criminal cases and also helps in easing the workload from higher courts.
Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM)
Appointment authority is the Head of criminal judiciary at the district level below Sessions Judge.
Appointment:
A good ACJM or a Civil Judge (Senior Division) is normally upgraded to CJM.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Supervising the working of all magistrates of the district.
- Dealing with more serious crimes.
- Taking care of distribution of cases amongst magistrates.
- Working as an important administrative officer, maintaining coordination between judiciary and district administration.
The CJM is an important interface between trial courts and higher judicial authorities.
Additional District and Sessions Judge
After CJM or Senior Civil Judge is the hierarchy step of Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADJ).
Appointment:
- Through promotion on a seniority-merit-performance basis.
- Direct recruitment is also done for certain seats from practicing advocates having at least seven years of experience.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- The disposal of civil and criminal appeals preferred by the lower courts.
- Prosecution of serious criminal offences, such as those punishable by death or imprisonment for life.
- Disposal of appeals against orders of Civil Judges and Chief Judicial Magistrates.
- Functioning as a trial court in serious criminal and civil cases.
An ADJ possesses more judicial powers than the judges of lower courts and plays a vital role to play in dispensing justice at the district level.
Apex of District Judiciary: District and Sessions Judge
The District and Sessions Judge stands at the apex of the subordinate judicial hierarchy in Jharkhand.
Appointment:
- Chosen from amongst the cadre of Additional District Judges with exemplary service records.
- Alternatively, appointed directly in exceptional situations according to rules of service.
Responsibilities and Functions:
- Being administrative and judicial head of district judiciary.
- Convincing major criminal offenses, including sessions trials of gruesome crimes.
- Adjudicating high-value civil cases.
- Overseeing and checking functioning of all the subordinate courts of the district.
- Rendering guidance and mentoring to junior judges and magistrates.
- Consultation with High Court and submission of report on court performance, infrastructure need, and judicial pendency.
The District Judge exercises both civil (as District Judge) and criminal (as Sessions Judge) jurisdiction and is the highest at the district level.
Chart: Simplified Judicial Hierarchy in Jharkhand
| Position | Role |
|---|---|
| Civil Judge (Junior Division) | Entry-level civil cases |
| Civil Judge (Senior Division) | Higher-value civil disputes |
| Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate | Criminal cases up to 7 years punishment |
| Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) | Head of criminal magistrates |
| Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADJ) | Appeals and serious trials |
| District and Sessions Judge | Head of district judiciary |
Promotion Criteria and Career Progression
The promotion in the judicial hierarchy in Jharkhand is based on:
- Seniority: Length of service in lower ranks.
- Performance Appraisal: Judicial competence, disposal rate of cases, impartiality reputation.
- Examinations: Departmental examinations are at times essential for promotions.
- Recommendations by High Court: Promotions to higher grades are recommended to the Jharkhand High Court.
The service conditions and promotion are regulated by the Jharkhand Superior Judicial Service rules.
Problems Encountered by Judicial Officers in Jharkhand
While the judicial officers in Jharkhand are entrusted with immense powers and duties, they also face a lot of challenges:
- Heavy Caseload: Like all other Indian states, Jharkhand is also suffering from a pendency of cases.
- Infrastructure Shortcomings: Court complexes, use of technology, and shortage of personnel at times hinder effective administration.
- Rural Jurisdictions: Officers are usually posted in remote districts where facilities and accessibility are poor.
- Pressure and Threats: Judges are often exposed to immense pressure in sensitive criminal cases, especially those relating to organized crime or political figures.
- Delayed Promotions: Red-tapism within the bureaucracy occasionally leads to delayed promotions.
However, judicial officers play a vital role in ensuring justice, under difficult conditions many times.
The Role of Jharkhand High Court in Judicial Administration
The High Court of Ranchi oversees and exercises administrative control over all the state’s subordinate courts.
Main Functions:
- Appointment, promotion, and transfer of judges.
- Superintendence of subordinate courts.
- Initiation of disciplinary proceedings, if necessary.
- Issuance of judicial orders, circulars, and guidelines to enable court functioning.
Thus, the High Court is the guardian and watchdog of the entire judicial ecosystem in Jharkhand.
Conclusion
The Judicial Hierarchy in Jharkhand, from Civil Judge to District Judge, is a well-thought-out hierarchy that places emphasis on gradual development, professional growth, and the gain of judicial experience. Every rung in this ladder has distinctive responsibilities and powers required to ensure the rule of law in society.
Despite difficulties, the judiciary is getting modernized with technological changes, judicial reforms, and commitment on the part of its officers towards the delivery of justice. The rise from Civil Judge to District Judge is not a career path only; it’s a way to become a guardian of constitutional values and a symbol of justice for society.
As Jharkhand grows and becomes more modern, its legal system will remain a cornerstone of democracy, providing a firm foundation to resolve conflicts and protect the rights of its citizens.
How can a civil judge become a district judge?
A Civil Judge who joins the service at the age of 28 years will receive his first promotion as Senior Civil Judge after 10 years. Assuming at the age of 38 to 40 years he is working as Senior Civil Judge, it will take another 10 to 12 years to get promoted as District Judge ( entry level).
What is the hierarchy of judges in the civil court?
At the head is the Supreme Court of India, followed by the High Courts of their state, where the district judges are in District Courts, Second Class Magistrates, and Civil Judge (Junior Division) at the bottom of the hierarchy of importance.
What are the levels of judges in district court?
One District Judge who is appointed by the State Government heads the District Court. Besides the district judge there are several Additional District Judge and Assistant District Judge as per the work load. District Court judges’ court is the top civil court of a district.
