Jammu and Kashmir High Court and Lower Courts Grapple with 371,000 Pending Cases: NJDG Report.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court and Lower Courts Grapple with 371,000 Pending Cases: NJDG Report.

Asif Iqbal | September 25, 2023 | 10:46 AM IST | Breaking News, Courts & Law, Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

Jammu and Kashmir High Court and Lower Courts Grapple with 371,000 Pending Cases: NJDG Report.

With over 3.71 lakh court cases pending disposal in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the judicial system faces an uphill battle in addressing the mounting backlog. This backlog includes cases at the District and Taluka courts and the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, painting a grim picture of the state of justice in the region.

Pendency Crisis in Jammu and Kashmir

In the sprawling landscape of Jammu and Kashmir’s legal system, the weight of pending cases is staggering. The District and Taluka courts grapple with a mammoth caseload of 3,26,264, while the Jammu and Kashmir High Court alone is burdened with 44,736 cases awaiting resolution.

National Perspective on Judicial Pendency

Zooming out to the national stage, the scale of the issue becomes even more evident. Across India, the pendency in District and Taluka courts exceeds a whopping 4,44,42,953 cases. This staggering number includes 1,10,89,259 civil cases and a staggering 3,33,53,694 criminal cases. High Courts across the country share the load, grappling with 60,78,594 cases, of which 43,65,076 are civil in nature, and 17,13,518 are criminal.

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Jammu and Kashmir’s Criminal Caseload Conundrum

Delving deeper into Jammu and Kashmir’s caseload, a concerning trend emerges. The District and Taluka courts are disproportionately burdened with criminal cases, constituting a substantial 68.29% of the pending cases. This leaves just 31.71% as civil cases awaiting resolution.

Duration-wise Analysis of Pendency

A closer examination of the pendency reveals a disconcerting statistic – a significant 47.57% of cases in the District and Taluka courts have been awaiting disposal for over a year. Moreover, a substantial portion of cases falls within the one to three-year bracket (20.26%), while cases lingering for more extended periods (from 3 to 30 years) make up the remaining pendency.

Special Concerns for Vulnerable Groups

Senior citizens and women, often vulnerable in legal matters, have their own share of pending cases. Senior citizens have filed 17,574 cases, predominantly civil in nature, whereas women have filed 16,775 cases, with a more balanced mix of civil and criminal cases.

Steps Toward Resolution

Despite the overwhelming backlog, there is hope. Over the past month, the District and Taluka courts managed to dispose of 17,317 cases, while the Jammu and Kashmir High Court resolved 1,560 cases. These small victories indicate progress in addressing the crisis.

Addressing the Pendency Challenge

Union Minister of State, Law and Justice, AA Rahim, has acknowledged the multifaceted challenges contributing to the pendency crisis. These include the shortage of judicial personnel, frequent adjournments, inadequate court staff, infrastructure limitations, complexity of cases, and the need for better cooperation among stakeholders like the bar, investigation agencies, witnesses, and litigants. Crafting effective solutions to these challenges is essential to alleviate the burden on the justice system and ensure timely justice for all.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.