Lok Sabha Question No. 2666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Pending Court Cases
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Rama Devi, Giridhari Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2666

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 04 th  DECEMBER, 2019.

## Pending Court Cases

## 2666.  SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI: SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  number  of  cases  pending    at  Bihar  (Patna)  High  Court  at  present  and    the number of  cases that are  15 years old;
- (b)    whether  the    people  are  denied  time  bound  justice  due  to  the  pending  cases  in Bihar;
- (c)  if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (d) the year-wise details of the  judges working at Bihar (Patna) High Court  during  the last three years;
- (e) the action taken by the Government so far to overcome the inadequate number of courts; and
- (f)  the outcome of the action taken by the Government  in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND  ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a): As per data available on National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), the total number of pending cases in Patna High Court as on 29.11.2019 is 1,68,123. The total number of cases  pending  for  over  15  years  is  not  available  on  the  NJDG.  However,  the  total number of cases pending for over 10 years and upto 20 years in Patna High Court as on 29.11.2019 is 15,075. ER
- (b) and (c): Disposal  of  cases  in  courts  is  within  the  domain  of  judiciary.  Timely disposal  of  cases  in  courts  depends  on  several  factors  which, inter-alia ,  include

availability of adequate number  of judges, supporting court staff and physical infrastructure,  complexity  of  facts  involved,  nature  of  evidence,  co-operation  of  stake holders viz. bar, investigation agencies, witnesses and litigants and proper application of rules and procedures.

However, the Union Government is committed to speedy disposal of cases and reduction in pendency of cases to improve access to justice in line with the mandate under  Article  39A  of  the  Constitution.  The  National  Mission  for  Justice  Delivery  and Legal  Reforms,  established  by  the  Union  Government  in  2011,  has  adopted  many strategic initiatives, including improving infrastructure [court halls and  residential units] for  Judicial  Officers  of  District  and  Subordinate  Courts,  leveraging  Information  and Communication Technology (ICT) for better justice delivery, filling up of vacant positions of Judges in High Courts and Supreme Court, reduction in pendency through follow up by Arrears Committees at District, High Court and Supreme Court level, emphasis on Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and initiatives to fast track special type of cases.

- (d): The year-wise details of the Judges working in the Patna High Court during the last 3 years is given below:-
- (e): The  District  and  Subordinate  Courts  are  set  up  by  the  State  Governments  in consultation with the High Court concerned.
- (f): Does not arise in view of (e) above.

| Year                     |   2017 (As on 01.01.2017) |   2018 ( As on 01.01.2018) |   2019 (As on 27.11.2019) |
|--------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------|
| Number of Judges Working |                        31 |                         33 |                        27 |

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