New Delhi: Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told the Parliament that the burden of pending cases in the Supreme Court has increased by 35% in the last five years. In 2019, 59 thousand 859 cases were pending which increased to 80 thousand 765 by the end of 2023. That is, more than 20 thousand 900 new cases have become pending in the last five years. This has increased the pressure on the country’s highest court, even though all the judges have been appointed.The condition of lower courts and Supreme Court is same
Not only the Supreme Court, the burden of cases has increased in the 23 High Courts of the country as well. While 46.8 lakh cases were pending in 2019, this number increased to 62 lakh in 2023. That is, more than 15 lakh new cases have been added and there has been an increase of 33%. Most of the cases are pending in the lower courts. By the end of 2023, this number was 4.4 crores. According to the information shared by the government, 3.2 crore cases were pending in the lower courts in 2019. That is, more than 1.2 crore new cases have been added and there has been an increase of 38%.
What are the reasons for pending cases in courts?
The Law Minister said, ‘There are many reasons for the pendency of cases in the courts. These include lack of infrastructure, shortage of staff, complexity of cases, nature of evidence, lack of coordination between lawyers, investigating agencies, witnesses and plaintiff-defendant and proper application of rules and procedures.’ Meghwal further said that other reasons for delay in disposal of cases include lack of time limit for disposal of different types of cases, frequent adjournments and lack of adequate system for monitoring.
Not only the Supreme Court, the burden of cases has increased in the 23 High Courts of the country as well. While 46.8 lakh cases were pending in 2019, this number increased to 62 lakh in 2023. That is, more than 15 lakh new cases have been added and there has been an increase of 33%. Most of the cases are pending in the lower courts. By the end of 2023, this number was 4.4 crores. According to the information shared by the government, 3.2 crore cases were pending in the lower courts in 2019. That is, more than 1.2 crore new cases have been added and there has been an increase of 38%.
What are the reasons for pending cases in courts?
The Law Minister said, ‘There are many reasons for the pendency of cases in the courts. These include lack of infrastructure, shortage of staff, complexity of cases, nature of evidence, lack of coordination between lawyers, investigating agencies, witnesses and plaintiff-defendant and proper application of rules and procedures.’ Meghwal further said that other reasons for delay in disposal of cases include lack of time limit for disposal of different types of cases, frequent adjournments and lack of adequate system for monitoring.
The Minister acknowledged that lack of coordination between the agencies involved in the criminal justice system also often leads to pending cases. Though the criminal justice system depends on the assistance of various agencies like the police, prosecution, forensic labs and medico-legal experts, the Minister said that resolution of pending cases in the courts falls entirely within the purview of the judiciary.
