Five provinces dispose off almost all 10-year-old pending cases
In a significant achievement, four states and a UT have brought down pendency of 10-year-old cases in subordinate courts to almost zero. Considering the 23L decades-old cases account for 9% of the total pending cases in such courts, it is no mean feat for Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab and Chandigarh. Five more states- Assam, Andhra, Delhi, Karnataka and MP- are following close behind.
The often-ignored problem of pending cases
Currently, there are 2.54cr cases pending in India's 17,000 subordinate courts. 22.76L have been pending since over 10 years. As a result, undertrials often end up languishing in jails for longer than the sentence they would have served after conviction. Two-thirds of inmates are undertrials. Two severely-hit groups are women and senior citizens: 37L of the total pending cases have been filed by them.
How have different states fared?
Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, MP and Punjab used to have a high number of pending cases. However, they have done well in disposing off almost all cases older than a decade. Efficiency of judges and automation in courts are two significant factors. However, others like Gujarat (20%), Odisha (17%), Bihar (16%), UP (13%), West Bengal and Uttarakhand (12%) and J&K (11%) haven't fared well.
What can the government and courts do to improve things?
Following the example set by the leading states, automation needs to be in focus to improve the situation. The government has already enforced some steps, like putting in place the National Judicial Data Grid, to check the problem. Today, status of cases can also be viewed in real-time. The judiciary needs a total overhaul if it has to be made effective.
