The biggest challenge facing the Indian judiciary is the disposal of the huge backlog of cases. The declining confidence in the judiciary is primarily due to the inordinate delay in disposal of cases. The wait for justice is often endless.
As on 31st March this year there were 50,163 cases pending before the Supreme Court. The pile up in the various High Courts was 39,55,224 cases. The pending cases in District and Subordinate Courts across the country a mind boggling 2,67,52,193. The shortage of judges is also hampering the disposal of cases. There are 7 vacancies in the Supreme Court while 234 judges are yet to be appointed in the High Courts. There are also 2,998 vacancies in the lower courts across the country. All murder, dacoity and rape cases should be disposed on a fast track basis. Cases against corrupt politicians and officials filed by the CBI and the Anti-corruption bureau should also be dealt expeditiously. 62 years after we inherited the legal system from the British, the Indian judiciary is in urgent need of some radical reform. A speedy trial is not only required to impart quick justice but also to ensure enduring faith in the judiciary. The Government and judiciary would have to work in tandem to establish accountability and restoring the credibility of the judiciary. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar
