Supreme Court judge Justice Hrishikesh Roy emphasized the urgent need for judicial reforms due to the “docket explosion” impeding timely justice in India during a conference in Srinagar. Proposed solutions include Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to alleviate court burdens and enhance accessibility, particularly for marginalized groups. The conference aims to improve court efficiency and equity in the legal system.
Srinagar: The mounting burden of court cases, or “docket explosion,” is critically undermining the delivery of quality judgments and timely justice, observed Supreme Court judge Justice Hrishikesh Roy. Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day zonal conference on ‘Court Dockets: Explosion and Exclusion’ held in Srinagar, Justice Roy called for urgent reforms to address this pressing issue.
The event, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Academy under the aegis of the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, brought together notable figures from the judiciary, including Supreme Court judges, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Tashi Rabstan, and former Supreme Court judge and National Judicial Academy Director, Justice Aniruddha Bose.
In his inaugural address, Justice Roy highlighted the alarming backlog of cases in India, the world’s largest democracy, with millions of cases pending across various levels of the legal system. “The grim situation can be felt in matters involving personal liberty of individuals,” he said, underscoring the adverse impact on vulnerable groups seeking justice.
Justice Roy proposed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a practical solution to alleviate the burden on courts. “ADR is an effective tool in the administration of justice,” he stated, emphasizing its role in ensuring faster and more accessible resolutions.
Justice Tashi Rabstan addressed two intertwined challenges:
- The explosion in the volume of cases, overwhelming courts with growing backlogs.
- Exclusion of marginalized groups, which denies equitable access to justice and perpetuates disparities in the legal system.
“These challenges resonate not only across the nation but also beyond its borders, presenting profound hurdles for equity and fairness in the legal system,”
Justice Rabstan remarked.
Former Supreme Court Justice Aniruddha Bose pointed to delayed litigation as a barrier preventing people from approaching courts, fearing the time-consuming process. He expressed optimism that the conference would generate actionable insights to ensure justice becomes more inclusive and efficient.
Justice Rabstan added that rising caseloads adversely affect not only the timeliness of judicial decisions but also the quality and integrity of the process. He called for streamlining court processes to make the legal system accessible to citizens, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
The conference seeks to devise practical solutions, including adopting ADR methods, improving court efficiency, and ensuring justice reaches even the most marginalized. By addressing both docket explosion and exclusion, India’s judicial system can work toward becoming more equitable and effective.
The insights shared during this event could serve as a roadmap for enhancing judicial reforms, ultimately benefiting millions awaiting justice.
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