New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear multiple petitions related to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, on February 17. According to the official cause list uploaded on the Supreme Court’s website, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, will oversee the proceedings.
At the end of 2024, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Chirang, Assam, successfully resolved all 830 pending cases, achieving a remarkable 100% disposal rate. This achievement stands out amidst the country’s ongoing judicial backlog. The district also reported a 23.29% conviction rate for the year, highlighting effective teamwork among stakeholders.
Between 1991 and 2024, the Supreme Court has exercised its suo motu jurisdiction in over 65 cases. Over the years, it has invoked this authority in several landmark matters involving public interest, social justice, and fundamental rights. Notable examples include the Kolkata hospital rape case, the deaths of children in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and the plight of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Supreme Court of India, led by Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh, addressed the heavy workload and vacancy issues within the Armed Forces Tribunal. They suggested establishing additional benches in remote areas to enhance access to justice and urged the government to expedite the appointment process and improve tribunal operations.
The Supreme Court will consider AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s plea for the enforcement of the 1991 Places of Worship Act, which preserves places of worship’s status as of August 15, 1947. Owaisi’s petition will be combined with ongoing cases and heard on February 17, addressing concerns over religious site reclamation lawsuits.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Madan Bhimrao Lokur emphasized concerns over judicial independence, systemic inefficiencies, and the impact of new laws on fundamental rights in India. He criticized delays in judicial appointments and highlighted issues like the overpopulation of undertrial prisoners. Justice Lokur advocated for greater accountability and transparency within the judiciary.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav reported 4,928 pending minor rape cases in the High Court, with 64 linked to murder. Despite the 2017 Bill allowing death penalties for rapists of minors, no executions have occurred. Approximately 50% of accused individuals are on bail, prompting concerns over delayed justice.
As of November 21, 2024, India’s judiciary faces severe challenges with 5,200 unfilled positions and 4.53 crore pending cases. The Supreme Court has two vacancies while High Courts have 364, predominantly in Allahabad. Initiatives to translate judgments into regional languages aim to improve access to legal resources amidst these issues.
The Supreme Court of India has introduced a new policy to address the increasing backlog of cases by allowing part-heard regular and urgent matters to be heard on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna emphasized prioritizing critical cases, including Transfer Petitions and Bail Matters. This initiative will be reviewed in December 2024 to evaluate its effectiveness.
