Pendency of cases in courts coming down, says Gowda

New Delhi: Maintaining that pendency of cases in courts was coming down, Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Thursday said the government is working with judiciary to address pendencies by increasing the number of judicial officers and providing better infrastructure.

As some members raised concern over rising pendency, the Law and Justice Minister told the Lok Sabha said he could not agree with them saying the number of cases being filed were on the rise.

As many as 61,081 cases were pending in the Supreme Court as on April 1, while the number of cases in High Courts stood at 41.53 lakh at the end of December 2014.

During Question Hour, Gowda said disposal of pending cases in courts was within the domain of judiciary. "The government has adopted a coordinated approach to assist judiciary for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial systems," he said.

Such measures include better infrastructure for courts including computerisation, increase in strength of judicial officers/judges, policy and legislative measures in the areas prone to excessive litigation and emphasis on human resource development, the Minister said.

Gowda said main factors for pendency of cases include increasing number of state and central legislations, accumulation of first appeals and indiscriminate use of writ jurisdiction.

Other factors were continuation of ordinary civil jurisdiction in some High Courts, vacancies of judges, appeals against orders of quasi-judicial forums going to High Courts, number of revision/appeals, frequent adjournments, lack of adequate arrangement to monitor, track and bunch cases for hearing, he said.

To a query regarding the proposal for an All India

Judicial Service which included provisions for recruitment through the National Judicial Service Commission (NJSC), Gowda there were strong reservations about it.

"The views of state governments and High Courts were sought on the proposal. High Courts and state governments have expressed divergent opinions on the matter," he said.

There are "strong reservations" on certain issues such as that All India Judicial Service could dilute the powers of High Courts on subordinate courts, Gowda said, adding "we need to work on it and have consensus."

Asked whether Supreme Court benches would be set up in any of the state capitals in South India, Gowda said several papers were moved on various occasions in this regard, but the apex court declined to have them. A way needs to be found in this matter, he added.

To another question, the Minister said Gram Nyalayas are to be set up by the state governments and added that the Centre is there to provide required assistance.