New Delhi, Oct 14 (PTI): The Union law ministry has launched a focused, research-based initiative to address the mounting backlog of cases in district and subordinate courts by identifying the 100 judicial districts with the highest pendency. The ministry said on Wednesday that more than 5.8 crore cases are pending across courts in India, with the majority of them in district and subordinate courts. The 100 identified “hotspot” districts account for more than half of the total pendency in district courts.
As part of the initiative, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal chaired a virtual meeting with vice-chancellors of 19 National Law Universities (NLUs) across 16 states to discuss strategies to reduce the backlog
. The meeting deliberated on several measures, including identifying infructuous cases, profiling cases, promoting alternative dispute resolution, managing adjournments, encouraging plea bargaining and mediation-assisted settlements, and expanding the use of summary trials.
The NLUs were asked to deploy their pro bono (free legal service) clubs, researchers and students to conduct ground-level assessments of pending cases in the selected districts.
They will develop district-specific strategies to identify the principal causes of delays and recommend practical mechanisms to reduce litigation pendency.
All participating vice-chancellors assured the government of their active involvement in the initiative.
Meghwal reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, emphasising that an accessible, efficient, affordable, fair, speedy and responsive justice delivery system is essential to achieving the goal.
Secretary, Department of Justice, the Director General (Awards), the Director General, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), the Director General, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and other officials attended the meeting in person, the statement said
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