MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE {SHRI D. V. SADANANDA GOWDA)
(a) to (e): The data on pendency of cases is maintained by the Supreme Court and High Courts. As per the infor- mation available, number of cases pending and disposed of in Supreme Court during the last three years and the current year are given below:-
Year Cases Cases Pending Disposed of
2011 58,519 73,133 2012 66,692 68,744 2013 66,349 77,085 2014 65,970 45,108 (As on 30.06. 2014)
Details of cases pending and disposed of in the High Courts and District and Subordinate Courts including Fast Track Courts during the last three years are given in Statements at Annex - and Annex -11.
Increasing number of state and central legislations, accumulation of first appeals, continuation of ordinary civil jurisdiction in some of the High Courts, vacancies of Judges, appeals against orders of quasi-judicial forums going to High Courts, number of revisions / appeals, adjournments, indiscriminate use of writ jurisdiction, lack of adequate arrangement to monitor, track and bunch cases for hearing are some of the main factors responsible for pendency of cases in courts.
Details of sanctioned strength, working strength and vacancy position of Judges in Supreme Court, High Courts and District and Subordinate Courts are given in Statements at Annex-lit and Annex - IV.
As per the Memorandum of Procedure, initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges of a High Court rests with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court and for appointment of a Judge in the Supreme Court, it rests with the Chief Justice of India. The Government is periodically reminding the Chief Justices of the High Courts to initiate proposals in time for filling up the existing vacancies as well as the vacancies anticipated in the next six months in the High Courts. The filling up of vacancies in the High Courts is a continuous consultative process among the Constitutional authorities. While every effort is made to fill up the existing vacancies expedi- tiously, vacancies do keep on arising on account of retirement, resignation or elevation of Judges. For filling of vacancies in District and Subordinate Courts, the matter is regularly pursued with High Courts / State Governments.
Disposal of pending cases in various courts is within the domain of the Judiciary. In order to create an enabling environment for judiciary, the Government has set up National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms. The major initiative under the National Mission relate to Infrastructure Development for Subordinate Judiciary and Computerization of Courts. The Central Government has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 2,198 crores to State Governments and Union Territories for upgradation / construction of court complexes and residential units for judicial officers in the last three years. Under the eCourts Project 13,323 courts have been computerized by 31st October, 2014. Computeri- zation of courts would enable the courts to exercise greater control over management of cases in the docket. It will also provide designated services to the litigants and the lawyers. In order to reduce government litigation in courts the Central Government has encouraged the States to notify their litigation policies which contain provisions for weeding out infructuous cases and promote dispute resolution through alternative mecha- nisms. The Government is also looking into the areas prone to excessive litigation for adopting suitable policy and legislative measures to curb such litigation. Download PDF Files
