Petition in SC for reduction of pendency of cases

A petition has been filed by a retired army officer before the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Central government to take effective steps to reduce pendency of cases from 15 years to three years.

The apex court will hear the petition next week.

The retired army officer, Anil Kabotra, through his lawyer, Ashwini Upadhyay, in his petition sought a direction to the Ministry of Law to take appropriate steps to reduce the pendency of cases in line with the 2009 resolution, namely, the National Consultation for Strengthening the Judiciary towards Reducing Pendency and delay.

The petition also sought a direction to the Ministry of Finance to allocate sufficient funds from national resources to meet the demand of the State Judiciary in line with the recommendations of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution.

The 98-page petition, accessed by ANI, sought a direction to the Ministry of Law to take appropriate steps to implement the National Litigation Policy and ensure strict adherence.

The petition also sought a direction to the Secretary General to plan the annual calendar in a way that the courts function at least 225 days per year and six hours per day till the pendency of cases is reduced to three years.

Kabotra, in his petition also sought that advocates shall not be appointed as the judge in the same High Court where they have practiced or where any of their blood relative is practicing as a counsel.

Getting speedy justice and trial is the fundamental right of every citizen and is also the fundamental requirement of good judicial administration, the petition claimed.