Relevance: GS Paper 2; Indian Polity; Judiciary
Introduction
The judiciary system in India plays a vital role in ensuring justice and fairness in the country. However, the system has been grappling with the problem of pendency for a long time
What is Pendency in the Judiciary System?
- Pendency refers to the large number of cases that are pending in courts
- According to the National Court Management System, as of 2020, there were about 4 crore cases pending in Indian courts
- It can be both civil and criminal cases
- Pendency leads to delays in the resolution of cases and can cause frustration for litigants
Causes of Pendency
- One of the main reasons for pendency is the shortage of judges
- As of 2021, there were only 22 judges per 10 lakh people in India, as compared to the recommended strength of 50 judges per 10 lakh people
- The workload of judges is also very high, leading to delays in the disposal of cases
- Lack of infrastructure and resources in courts also contributes to the problem
Impact of Pendency on the Judiciary System
- Pendency impacts the credibility and efficiency of the judiciary system
- It leads to a lack of faith in the system and can discourage people from seeking justice
- It also puts a lot of pressure on the existing judges and can lead to burnout
Steps Taken by the Government to Address Pendency
- The government has taken several steps to address the problem of pendency in the judiciary system
- It has appointed more judges and set up alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to expedite the process
- The use of technology has also helped to reduce the burden on the courts
- For example, the e-Courts project aims to digitize the functioning of courts and make the process more efficient
Recent Developments in Addressing Pendency
- In 2021, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde called for the implementation of the National Court Management System (NCMS) to address pendency in the judiciary
- The NCMS aims to streamline the functioning of courts and reduce the workload of judges
- The Law Ministry has also announced plans to set up a National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) to track pending cases and improve the efficiency of the system
Conclusion
Pendency in the judiciary system is a major issue that needs to be addressed
The government needs to take more proactive measures to improve the efficiency of the system and ensure that justice is delivered in a timely manner.
Practice Question: Describe the role and importance of the judiciary system in India, and discuss the problem of pendency in the system and the steps taken by the government to address it.
