(a) the number of pending cases till date across all courts in the country;
(b) whether the Government is planning to constitute a committee to enquire into the reasons for pendency of cases in the country, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has considered any proposal for penalizing judicial delay, if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a): The number of pending cases across all courts in the country is as under:-
Sl. No. Name of Court Pendency as on
1 Supreme Court of India 70,239 (01.01.2022)*
2 High Courts 56,80,280 (08.02.2022)**
3 District & Subordinate Courts 4,12,07,097 (08.02.2022)**
Source *Website of Supreme Court of India.
**National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG).
(b) & (c): Disposal of cases in courts is within the domain of the judiciary. The reasons for pendency of cases may be due to several factors which, inter-alia, include availability of adequate number of judges, supporting court staff and physical infrastructure, complexity of facts involved, nature of evidence, cooperation of stake holders viz. bar, investigation agencies, witnesses and litigants and proper application of rules and procedures. However, the Union Government is committed to speedy disposal of cases and reduction in pendency of cases.
National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms was set up in August, 2011 with the twin objectives of increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system and enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities. To advise on the goals, objectives and strategies of the National Mission and the Action Plan and its implementation, an Advisory Council has been set up under the Chairmanship of Minister of Law and Justice with a wide ranging membership. Activities under the National Mission are of an on-going nature and regular reports are presented before the Advisory Council of the National Mission.
The Mission has been pursuing a co-ordinated approach for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial administration, which, inter-alia, involves better infrastructure for courts including computerization, increase in strength of subordinate judiciary, policy and legislative measures in the areas prone to excessive litigation, re-engineering of court procedure for quick disposal of cases and emphasis on human resource development.
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