Over 10 Lakh Cases Pending In Allahabad HC As On March 25; Govt Fully Committed To Speedy Disposal Of Cases: Centre Tells Rajya Sabha

The Union Law and Justice Ministry has informed Rajya Sabha that 10,31,282 cases are pending before the Allahabad High Court as on 25 March 2022 as per the information/data available on the web portal of National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG).

This piece of information was provided by the Union Law Minister, Kiren Rijijju in response to a question put up by MP Syed Zafar Islam regarding Pendency in the High Court of Uttar Pradesh (Allahabad)

The Union Law Ministry, in its response, stressed that though the disposal of pending cases in courts is within the domain of the judiciary and the Government has no role in the disposal of cases in courts, still, the Central Government is fully committed to speedy disposal of cases in accordance with Article 21 of the Constitution and reducing pendency.

Essentially, the following five questions were asked by MP Islam:

(a) the details of number of cases pending in the High Court of Uttar Pradesh at present;

(b) whether the pendency of legal cases has prevented people from getting justice on time in Uttar Pradesh;

(c) if so, the reaction of the Central Government in this regard;

(d) the number of judges working in the High Court of Uttar Pradesh during each of the last three years;

(e) whether the need for increase in number of courts has been felt; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard so far?

Regarding the timely disposal of cases, the Ministry said that the same depends on several factors which, inter-alia, include availability of adequate number of judges and judicial officers, 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.

Regarding the initiatives taken by the Central Government, it answered thus:

"The Government has taken several initiatives to provide an ecosystem for faster disposal of cases by the judiciary. 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. 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."

Regarding the establishment of new courts at the District and below District / Subordinate (Tehsil / Taluka) level, the Ministry said that they are established by respective State Governments in consultation with the concerned High Courts, as per their need and resources and that the Central Government has no role in the establishment of District and Subordinate Courts.

However, the Centre did clarify that it provides financial assistance to State Governments / UTs under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for development of infrastructure of the district and subordinate courts.

"It has approved the continuation of the Scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a financial outlay of Rs. 9,000 crore which includes a Central Share of Rs. 5307 crore. Besides the construction of Court Halls and Residential Units of District and Subordinate Courts, the current form of the scheme also includes the construction of Toilet Complexes, Lawyers' Halls, and Digital Computer Rooms in the Subordinate Judiciary. Since the inception of this scheme, funds to the tune of Rs. 1379.33 crores have been provided to Uttar Pradesh," the Centre further informed the Rajya Sabha.

The Ministry also informed the Upper House that out of a Sanctioned Strength of 160 Judges, as on January 1 2022, the High Court has a working Strength of 93 Judges.

Click Here To Read/Download Ministry's response