SC attains full strength as case log nears 80,000

Source: The post is based on the article “SC attains full strength as case log nears 80,000” published in “The Hindu” on 10th November 2023

Why in the News?

Three New Judges have been appointed to the Supreme Court. This takes the judicial strength of SC to its sanctioned capacity of 34.

However, on the other hand, the pendency of cases in the Supreme Court has reached around 80,000.

What is the data on the pendency of cases in the Supreme Court?

The Indian judiciary faces an increasing number of cases to be decided.

The total number of cases pending in Supreme Court, High Courts and Subordinate courts have crossed the 5 crore mark.

Cases Pending in Supreme Court: 

1. Around 80,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court.

2.78% of these are civil cases and 22% criminal cases.

3. There are 444 pending constitutional matters. There are 135 cases awaiting to be setup before a 9-judge bench.

Reasons for Pendency of cases in Supreme Court:

1. Non-availability of adequate number of judges and judicial officers, supporting court staff and physical infrastructure

2. Complexity of facts involved

3. Non-cooperation of stakeholders such as the Bar, investigation agencies, witnesses and litigants

4. Lack of prescribed time frame by respective courts for disposal of various kinds of cases

5. Frequent adjournments 

6. Lack of adequate arrangement to monitor, track and bunch cases for hearing.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and Nation