Urgent need to take proactive steps to clear huge backlog of cases: SC

There is an urgent need to take proactive steps to not only clear the huge backlog of cases at all levels but for introspection by all stakeholders to meet the aspirations of litigants who seek speedy justice and curtail methods adopted to delay proceedings, the Supreme Court has said while issuing a slew of directions.

A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat (since retired) and Aravind Kumar, in the order delivered on Friday, gave directions to all courts at district and taluka levels on matters like the execution of summons, filing of written statements, completion of pleadings, recording of admissions and denials, framing of issues, and fixing of trial for swift disposal of cases.

It also directed the setting of committees by the chief justices of the respective states to constantly monitor old cases pending for more than five years. The court said millions of consumers of justice file their cases expecting speedy justice, so there is an onerous responsibility on all stakeholders to ensure that the people›s faith in this system is not eroded on account of delayed justice.

There is an urgent need to take pro-active steps to not only clear the huge backlog of cases at all levels but there should be introspection by all the stakeholders to gear up to meet the aspirations of the litigant public, who would only seek speedy justice, and to curtail the methods adopted to delay the proceedings that may suit certain sections or classes of the litigant public.
It is imperative to note that about six per cent of the population in India is affected by litigation, in such a scenario the courts would play an important role in the life of a nation governed by the rule of law.