Supreme Court Flags Pendency in Allahabad High Court
- ByAdmin --
- 19 Feb 2025 --
- 0 Comments
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns over the alarming backlog of cases pending before the Allahabad High Court, one of the country’s busiest courts. The apex court called for urgent judicial appointments and administrative reforms to address the crisis.
Extent of the Problem
The Allahabad High Court, covering the vast state of Uttar Pradesh, currently has over 1.5 million pending cases. With a large population and high litigation rates, the court faces an overwhelming burden that affects timely justice delivery.
The Supreme Court observed that delays in adjudication lead to prolonged legal uncertainty, denying citizens their right to a speedy trial as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Judicial Appointments and Structural Reforms
One of the key reasons for the backlog is the shortage of judges. Despite repeated recommendations, a large number of judicial vacancies remain unfilled. The Supreme Court directed the central government and the Collegium to expedite the appointment process.
The bench also suggested structural changes, including:
• Increasing the number of special benches for criminal and civil matters.
• Strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Promoting digital case management to improve efficiency.
Impact on Judicial Functioning
This intervention by the Supreme Court could push for systemic reforms in India’s judiciary, particularly in high courts with heavy caseloads. If implemented, the suggested measures could significantly reduce pendency, ensuring faster justice for litigants.
However, legal experts caution that unless long-term solutions such as judicial infrastructure expansion and procedural reforms are also implemented, temporary measures may not be enough to resolve the crisis.
RELATED Blog
0 comments