'Costs and delays deterring people to move courts'

Only 20 per cent of litigants approach courts to seek justice and 80 per cent litigants settle cases through extra-judicial and extraneous means, primarily due to inordinate delay in the administration of justice and cost-prohibitive litigations.

Disclosing this at the first regional-level review meeting of the deputy commissioners and government law officers here on Friday, Principal Secretary of Law, Justice and Human Rights K N Phaneendra said the delay in justice delivery was desisting people from going to courts and instead seek alternative measures such as settling cases through undesirable and unconstitutional means, which was dangerous to society and governance.

Better systematic

“If systemic improvement is made, then more number of people will come to courts seeking justice,” Phaneendra remarked.

He said the efficiency of advocates would go in vain if they were not industrious and unaware of latest developments in law.

“This has caused severe harm to the litigations involving the government. The government cannot afford to spend lakhs of rupees on litigation in cases like giving compensation of a few thousands of rupees,” added the Principal Secretary.

Stock of cases

Law minister Suresh Kumar said his department had for the first time started regional meetings of the deputy commissioners and government law officers to take stock of cases involving the government.

“Government is the biggest litigant in civil cases. It is high time government pleaders strived to remove the stigma and turn it a model litigant,” he added.
DH News Service