Delhi faces 5,000 pending government cases as CM Rekha Gupta launches a major legal overhaul to fast-track litigation and clear the growing judicial backlog effectively.
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NEW DELHI: Delhi is struggling with a legal backlog of 4,000 to 5,000 government-related cases that are stuck in various courts and tribunals. But the capital may finally be at a turning point. In a crucial move to clear this mounting legal clutter, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has called for a complete overhaul of the way government litigation is handled.
At a high-level meeting attended by Law and Order Minister Kapil Mishra and senior officials, the Chief Minister was briefed on the sheer volume of pending cases. One official summed it up,
“Too many cases, too little coordination.”
The problem isn’t just the backlog; it’s the systemic inefficiencies. There’s an absence of structured oversight, disintegrated legal representation, outdated laws, and a shortage of judicial officers. All of this has contributed to a sluggish justice delivery mechanism that needs immediate attention.
To tackle the growing backlog of government-related court cases, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a series of key measures aimed at reforming Delhi’s litigation system. First, the Law Department has been directed to form expert panels comprising retired bureaucrats and legal specialists. These panels will be responsible for reviewing each pending case and recommending whether it should be expedited, settled, or withdrawn, a crucial step toward smart and efficient litigation management.
Another major reform addresses a striking gap in legal representation. Unlike most Indian states, Delhi currently lacks its own panel of lawyers in the Supreme Court. To fix this, the Chief Minister has called for the empanelment of senior advocates to represent Delhi in the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, and various tribunals. These appointments will come with clearly defined contracts and accountability terms to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
Court infrastructure is also being prioritized. The Chief Minister reviewed the status of three new court complexes under construction in Shastri Park, Karkardooma, and Rohini, and instructed departments to fast-track the projects. The shortage of judicial officers and inadequate workspace were highlighted as pressing concerns that must be addressed urgently.
Additionally, the government is turning its attention to outdated colonial-era laws, such as the Punjab Courts Act and the Suit Valuation Act, which are still in force. CM Gupta has asked the Law Department to begin drafting modern legislative alternatives that reflect the needs of contemporary governance.
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Oversight of Oath Commissioners has also come under scrutiny. These officials play a crucial role in verifying affidavits and legal documents, but weak monitoring and outdated records have raised serious concerns. In response, the Chief Minister has ordered an immediate audit of the system.
Lastly, the Delhi Dispute Resolution Society, which handles out-of-court settlements, was reviewed. Although no new directives were issued, its functioning remains on the government’s radar for future reforms.
Delhi’s roadmap for legal reform is ambitious and much needed. From systemic reform and better legal representation to judicial infrastructure and legislative modernization, the pieces are beginning to fall into place. But as the Chief Minister herself acknowledged, implementation will be the real test.
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