Subordinate Courts
There are various subordinate courts in the country. The organization and the structure of subordinate courts are uniform throughout the country. Each state is divided into a number of districts, and each district has a district court which is presided over by the district judge. There are civil courts, criminal courts, and courts of revenues in every district.
Court of the District Judge
- The District Court is the highest court of the district, and it decides both civil and criminal cases.
- A judge who decides civil cases is known as a district judge, and a judge who decides criminal cases is known as a sessions judge.
- Appeals against the decisions made by the district judges can be made in the High Court if the amount involved in the case is more than 5000 rupees.
- A person desiring to become a district judge should have been an advocate for at least seven years in Union Judicial Service or the State Public Service Commission.
- Sometimes, a district judge may also act as Deputy Commissioner and District Collector. In that capacity, he maintains law and order and supervises the collection of revenues.
Court of the Civil Judge
The Court of the Civil Judge hears cases that involve money from Rs 2000 to Rs 5000. Appeal against the decisions of this court can be made before a district judge.
Munsif Court
A Munsif Court deals with civil cases which involve less than Rs 2000. Appeals against his decision can be made in the Court of the Civil Judge.
Small Courts
Small courts are headed by junior magistrates and deal with cases where the money involved is too little (it varies from state to state). There can be no appeal against their decisions. Cases valuing up to Rs 1,000 can be heard by small courts in Delhi and cases involving up to Rs 10,000 can be decided by small courts in Mumbai.
Term of Office
- The District Judge and the Additional District Judges are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the judges of the High Court.
- All the other judges are appointed through competitive examinations held by the State Public Service Commission.
Functions
- The district judges exercise administrative control over all civil courts in the district.
- Cases pertaining to revenues are heard by the revenue courts.
- Appeals can be made to the higher courts. So, appeals against the decisions of the Munsif Courts can be made in the District Court.
- Appeals against the decisions of the District Courts can be made in the High Court.
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Criminal Courts
Criminal courts deal with cases related to murder, robbery, theft, assault, etc. The criminal courts can be classified into the following categories:
Sessions Court:
It is the highest criminal court and is presided by the District Judge. The court deals with serious offenses.
Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate:
It deals with less serious offenses and cannot award the life or death sentence.
Court of First Class Magistrate:
It deals with less serious cases and can award up to three years of sentence or fine up to Rs 5000.
Court of Second Class Magistrate:
These courts can sentence a person to imprisonment for up to two years or can levy fines up to Rs 1000.
Court of Third Class Magistrate:
These courts deal with quarrels or rioting. These courts can sentence a person to imprisonment for up to one month or can levy fines up to Rs 50. India has a single integrated judicial system which means that appeals from the lower courts can be made to the higher courts.
Courts of Revenues
The Courts of Revenues deal with cases related to the maintenance of land records and collection of land revenues. These courts are
Board of Revenues:
It is the highest court in cases related to revenues in the state. It can hear appeals against the decisions taken by revenue courts placed under it.
Commissioner’s Court:
A Commissioner looks after the assessment and collection of revenues of all districts.
Collector’s Court:
This court is headed by the Deputy Commissioner of a state. He helps the revenue department in the assessment and collection of land revenues.
Tehsildar’s Court:
A tehsildar is responsible for the collection of revenues.
Naib Tehsildar’s Court:
It is the lowest court and hears cases related to the assessment of land revenues and collection of property taxes from farmers.