Lok Sabha Question No. 2458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Undue Delay in Implementation of Justice
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2458 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13 th  FEBRUARY, 2026

## UNDUE DELAY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF JUSTICE

## 2458. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

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

- (a) the details of steps taken to make justice predictable, accessible, and humane rather than just theoretically sound, ensuring it reaches the average citizen of the country;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  high  litigation  costs,  complex  procedures,  and massive backlogs are the main barriers of the sector; and
- (c) if so, the details of steps taken, so far, to minimise the cost of litigation and expedite the procedures?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) to (c): The justice delivery system consists of a number of stakeholders involved in dispensation of justice which, inter-alia, includes the judiciary, law enforcement authorities, prosecution  agencies  and  legal  aid  authorities.  The  Government  is  committed  towards facilitating  an  ecosystem  that  promotes  transparency,  public  outreach  and  community engagement thereby aiding a fair justice delivery system.

Some of initiatives taken by the Government in this regard are as under:-

- i. The Government had setup the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms  in  2011,  with  the  twin  objectives  of  increasing  access  to  justice  by reducing delays and arrears in the system and enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities.
- ii. Under  the  e-Courts  Mission  Mode  Project,  Information  and  Communication Technology (ICT) has been leveraged for IT enablement of the Indian Judiciary. This  has  made  justice  delivery  faster,  more  transparent  and  accessible  to  all

citizens.  The  establishment  of  eSewa  Kendras  to  provide  front-end  facilitation services to citizens and lawyers, and development of the National Judicial Data Grid  (NJDG)  as  a  transparent  online  repository  of  case  data,  has  facilitated accessibility to justice. The live streaming of cases and use of video conferencing facilities by courts, jails, etc., has aided greater transparency.  Advanced Artificial Intelligence  (AI)/  Machine  Learning  (ML)  tools  are  integrated  into  judicial workflows, thereby easing the process flow.

- iii. Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Judicial Infrastructure, implemented since  1993-94,  funds  are  being  released  to  the  States/UTs  for  construction  of court  halls,  digital  computer  rooms,  lawyers'  halls,  etc.,  for  easing  the  life  of lawyers and litigants, thereby aiding justice delivery.  As on 31.12.2025, 22683 court halls are available and 3197 court halls are under construction.
- iv. Fast  Track  Courts  have  been  established  for  the  expeditious  trial  of  specific categories  of  cases  including  heinous  crimes,  civil  cases  involving  women, children,  senior  citizens,  persons  with  disabilities,  individuals  afflicted  with terminal illnesses, and property-related cases pending for more than five years. As per information received from the High Courts, 879 FTCs are functional across 22 State/UTs as on 31.12.2025.
- v. In  addition,  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  for  the  establishment  of  Fast Track Special  Courts  (FTSCs),  including  exclusive  POCSO  (e-POCSO)  Courts,  is operational  since  October,  2019.  These  courts  are  dedicated  to  the  time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. As per data provided by the High Courts, 774  FTSCs,  including  398  exclusive  POCSO  Courts,  are  functional  across  29 States/UTs as on 31.12.2025.
- vi. Arrears  Committees  have  been  set  up  in  all  25  High  Courts  and  the  District Courts as well to clear cases pending for more than five years.
- vii. The  Government  has  also  amended The  Negotiable  Instruments  ( Amendment) Act, 2018, The Commercial Courts ( Amendment) Act, 2018, The Specific Relief (Amendment)  Act,  2018,  The  Arbitration  and  Conciliation  (Amendment)  Act, 2019  and  The  Criminal  Laws  (Amendment) Act,  2018  with  a  view  to  reduce pendency.
- viii. Alternate  Dispute  Resolution  methods  have  been  promoted.  The  Commercial Courts Act, 2015 was amended in August, 2018 making Pre-institution Mediation and Settlement (PIMS) mandatory in case of commercial disputes. Amendment to

the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 has been made by the Arbitration and Conciliation  (Amendment)  Act  2015  for  expediting  the  speedy  resolution  of disputes by prescribing timelines.

- ix. Lok  Adalat is an important Alternative Disputes Resolutions  Mechanism available to common people, where the disputes/cases pending in the court of law or  at  pre-litigation  stage  are  settled/compromised  amicably.  Under  The  Legal Services  Authorities  (LSA)  Act,  1987,  and  award  made  by  a  Lok  Adalat  is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no  appeal  lies  against  it  before  any  court.  National  Lok Adalats  are  organised simultaneously in all Taluks, Districts and High Courts on a pre-fixed date.
- x. Under the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) Scheme, citizen-centric and technology-enabled initiatives have been undertaken to ease the justice delivery.  The Tele-Law programme provides an effective and reliable  e-interface  platform  connecting  the  needy  and  disadvantaged  sections seeking legal advice and consultation with panel lawyers via video conferencing, telephone  and  chat  facilities  available  at  the  Common  Service  Centres  (CSCs) situated  in  Gram  Panchayats  and  through  Tele-Law  mobile  app.  The  Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Programme promotes a pro bono culture by enabling beneficiaries to access free legal services from registered advocates. Pro Bono Panel of advocates has been established in 23 High Courts. Pro Bono Clubs are functional in 109 Law Schools to instil Pro Bono culture in budding lawyers. Under the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme (LLLAP) partnerships have been forged  with  Ministries  and  allied  Departments,  Institutions,  Schools, etc., for facilitating capacity building of existing grassroots/frontline legal workers/volunteers.

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