| Introduction: Contextual Introduction Body: What are efforts to address judicial delays and challenges that arise in its implementation? Conclusion: Way forward |
Judicial delays have long plagued the Indian judicial system, undermining the public’s faith in its ability to deliver timely justice. The recent remarks by President Droupadi Murmu at the National Conference of the District Judiciary have spotlighted the systemic issues leading to prolonged litigation, often referred to as the “culture of adjournments” or “Black Coat Syndrome.
Efforts to Address Judicial Delays
- E-filing Systems: The introduction of e-filing systems has streamlined the submission and management of legal documents, reducing delays caused by manual processes.
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): ODR platforms offer an alternative to traditional court proceedings, enabling faster and cost-effective resolution of disputes.
- Addition of Courtrooms: Increasing the number of courtrooms is an immediate measure to alleviate the burden on existing courts.
- Pre-Litigation Dispute Resolution: Strategies like Lok Adalats and mediation centers aim to resolve disputes before they reach the courts, thus reducing the caseload.
- Comprehensive Reform Strategy: The CJI’s plan outlines a multi-stage approach to addressing judicial delays, focusing on infrastructure improvement, human resource augmentation, and procedural reforms to ensure both speed and fairness in the justice delivery system.
Challenges
- Shortfall in Judges: India has just 15 judges per 10 lakh people, far below the recommended 50 judges per 10 lakh by the Law Commission in 1987. This shortage exacerbates the caseload burden, leading to delays in hearings and case resolutions.
- Lack of Support Staff: Courts are also hampered by insufficient support staff, essential for efficient case management and timely processing of legal documents.
- Frequent Adjournments: The practice of frequent adjournments delays proceedings and leads to cases dragging on for years. This “adjournment culture” often stems from overburdened courts, but it significantly impacts the lives of litigants, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
- Over Five Crore Pending Cases: According to the National Judicial Data Grid, over five crore cases are pending across various levels of the judiciary. This backlog is a result of both the rising number of cases filed each year and the system’s inability to resolve them promptly.
Conclusion
Judicial delays undermine the rule of law and erode public confidence in the justice system. While technological interventions and structural reforms have been initiated, a long-term, comprehensive plan is essential to balance the demand for speedy justice with the need to uphold due process and fairness. Only then can the judiciary fulfill its role as the guardian of justice in a democratic society.
