Question : Pending Court Cases

(a) the number of cases pending at Bihar (Patna) High Court at present and the number of cases that are 15 years old;

(b) whether the people are denied time bound justice due to the pending cases in Bihar;

(c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) the year-wise details of the judges working at Bihar (Patna) High Court during the last three years;

(e) the action taken by the Government so far to overcome the inadequate number of courts; and

(f) the outcome of the action taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a): As per data available on National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), the total number of pending cases in Patna High Court as on 29.11.2019 is 1,68,123. The total number of cases pending for over 15 years is not available on the NJDG. However, the total number of cases pending for over 10 years and upto 20 years in Patna High Court as on 29.11.2019 is 15,075. ER

(b) and (c): Disposal of cases in courts is within the domain of judiciary. Timely disposal of cases in courts depends on 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, co-operation 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 to improve access to justice in line with the mandate under Article 39A of the Constitution. The National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, established by the Union Government in 2011, has adopted many strategic initiatives, including improving infrastructure [court halls and residential units] for Judicial Officers of District and Subordinate Courts, leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for better justice delivery, filling up of vacant positions of Judges in High Courts and Supreme Court, reduction in pendency through follow up by Arrears Committees at District, High Court and Supreme Court level, emphasis on Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and initiatives to fast track special type of cases.

(d): The year-wise details of the Judges working in the Patna High Court during the last 3 years is given below:-
Year 2017
(As on 01.01.2017) 2018
( As on 01.01.2018) 2019
(As on 27.11.2019)
Number of Judges Working 31 33 27

(e): The District and Subordinate Courts are set up by the State Governments in consultation with the High Court concerned.

(f): Does not arise in view of (e) above.