In a significant observation, the Supreme Court of India recently voiced its concerns over the prolonged pendency of cases in the country’s judicial system. The apex court highlighted instances where cases have remained unresolved for an astonishing seven decades, emphasizing that such extensive delays could severely undermine the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary.
The concerns were raised during the court’s deliberation on a specific plea that had been languishing in a lower court for an extended period of 41 years. The bench, consisting of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar, pointedly remarked on the case, stating,
“This is a classic case and a mirror to the fact that the litigant public may become disillusioned with judicial processes due to inordinate delay in legal proceedings. Such delays, often resulting from dilatory tactics adopted by one party or another, prevent cases from reaching their logical conclusion, causing them to move at a snail’s pace.”
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Justice Kumar, who was responsible for writing the verdict on behalf of the bench, elaborated on the broader implications of such delays. He noted,
“The voices of the oppressed, the rights of the marginalized, and the claims of the aggrieved are all rendered hollow when justice is deferred. Each pending case symbolizes an individual or entity in limbo, anxiously awaiting closure and vindication. Every delay, no matter how minor it might seem, is a direct affront to the foundational ideals of our legal system. The age-old adage ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ is not just a saying but has become an undeniable reality in many instances.”
In response to these concerns, the Supreme Court issued a series of directives. It called upon all high courts across the nation to exercise vigilant oversight over lower courts, ensuring that they expedite proceedings and deliver judgments in a timely manner. The bench further emphasized the urgent need for introspection among all stakeholders in the judicial process. They stressed the importance of taking proactive and collaborative steps to address and reduce the massive backlog of cases at all judicial levels.
The bench concluded with a poignant reminder of the expectations of the general public, stating,
“When millions of consumers of justice approach the courts, they come with the hope and expectation of receiving speedy and fair justice.”
This recent observation by the Supreme Court underscores the pressing challenges faced by the Indian judiciary. It serves as a clarion call for reforms and measures to ensure that justice is not just done but is seen to be done promptly, restoring faith in the country’s judicial system.
