Meghwal attributed the delays to multiple factors, including case complexity, the nature of evidence, cooperation from lawyers and investigating agencies, availability of witnesses and litigants, and inadequate infrastructure and court staff.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Suryakant, who will assume office on November 24, described the backlog as the judiciary’s “biggest challenge.” He emphasized that addressing pendency and promoting mediation will be his top priorities. CJI Suryakant cited his experience in resolving around 1,200 cases related to the Delhi land acquisition dispute through a single judgment as an example of how focused interventions can reduce delays.
The CJI also announced plans to call for detailed reports from High Courts and trial courts nationwide to assess case pendency, particularly matters awaiting rulings from the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench. He stressed that High Courts will need to provide updates on long-pending cases to enable timely adjudication.
In addition, Justice Suryakant highlighted the potential role of technology, including artificial intelligence, in supporting judicial processes but cautioned that its deployment must be carefully evaluated to balance benefits and risks. He also reaffirmed the importance of mediation as an effective tool for dispute resolution, calling it a “game-changer” for easing the judicial burden.
The statistics underscore a pressing need for judicial reforms, infrastructure strengthening, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure timely access to justice for millions of litigants across India.
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