(CJI), Altamas Kabir, begins his term with 63,749 cases pending in the Supreme Court.

 The new chief justice of India (CJI), Altamas Kabir, begins his term with 63,749 cases pending in the Supreme Court. His predecessors tried to push back the rising numbers but failed. Former chief justice S H Kapadia took up the top post in 2010 with a backlog of 55,018, but he has not been able to contain the flow of litigation.

Some of the 21 high courts have shown in recent months that they have disposed of more cases than were filed. This negative growth is claimed by the high courts of Delhi (-1.98), Chhattisgarh (-1.49), Gujarat (- 3.06), Patna (-3.65) and Rajasthan (-8.50). Some high courts are on the border line, like those of Andhra Pradesh (0.94), Bombay (0.21), Himachal Pradesh (0.59) and Punjab & Haryana (0.79).

 The situation in Sikkim is unbeatable, with two judges disposing of cases equal in number to those filed. In that blissful height, only 60 cases are pending.

Several district and subordinate courts also seem to be stirring, with better infrastructure, computerisation and hike in salaries. Courts in Tripura (-13.97) and Nagaland (-13.30) lead in this field. Among those that follow with good ranking are the Union Territory of Chandigarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Sikkim. This would perhaps show that if adequate funds and facilities are available, the subordinate judiciary can turn around the general trend. The Planning Commission and Budget makers should take note of this reality.

Source: Business Standard