Govt mulling enhancing jurisdiction of Delhi's lower courts

The government is set to take a call soon on enhancing the jurisdiction of civil suits of Delhi's lower courts from the existing Rs 20 lakh to Rs 2 crore.

The government is giving a final shape to a proposal to amend the Delhi High Court Act to increase the jurisdiction of the capital's lower courts in civil cases, including property disputes, Law Ministry sources said.

The Union Cabinet will take a final call in this regard.

As of now, all civil disputes, including property cases of more than Rs 20 lakh are settled by High Court. Disputes below Rs 20 lakh value are taken up by the lower courts.

According to the proposal, as the pecuniary jurisdiction of lower courts is limited, it puts a burden on litigants as well as on the high court machinery which is already overburdened with cases.

Since there are nine district courts now, it is easier for litigants to approach them and the cost of litigation is also less there.

Once implemented, the move will lead to transfer of thousands of civil suits, valued up to Rs 2 crore, from the high court to nine district courts in the capital.

The move to amend the Delhi High Court Act comes in the wake of a recommendation made by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice D Murugesan to this effect last year.

Then Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had accepted the recommendation and had forwarded it to the Centre for further action.

The issue of pecuniary jurisdiction has been going on for quite some time. Lawyers of lower courts had gone on a strike protesting against not being able to take up civil suits beyond Rs 20 lakh.

Their high court counterparts went on a strike soon after Justice Murugesan gave his recommendations to the government to enhance the pecuniary jurisdiction of lower courts.

They feel it will lead to transfer of thousands of civil suits from the high court to district courts.