ACMM: One lakh cases pending

Several files have gone missing; advocates scared to submit originals

The pile-up of undisposed files has led to several files missing. The scores of complaints lodged with the registrar tell the story.

Advocates say the court has reached an irredeemable stage, even if the Chief Justice of India’s statement that a judge can take 200- 300 cases were to be implemented. “According to the CJI, only 20-30 cases can be dealt in detail. If cases go on at such a pace, it will take at least three to four decades. It is ironic that this is happening when speedy disposal of cases is the buzz word,” said an advocate. Missing files are such a common occurrence, it does not raise eyebrows any longer.

An advocate recalled, “On 23 December, 2009, a petition was filed and the matter was scheduled on February 5. But when the matter came up for hearing we were informed that the file was missing and we saw the register was torn.”
“When we contacted the deputy registrar, he said nothing can be done as one lakh cases are pending. We were told to approach the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, if we need help,” he said.

Total chaos
“It is total chaos over there. We do not even get an acknowledgment for what we submit. When we appear before the Court, we find our file missing. We are now scared to submit originals,” the counsel said.
The Negotiable Instruments Act is seen as responsible for the mess. “Files related to the Act are lying in a heap here. It is the same treatment, procedure and time consumed for each case of a cheque being dishonoured, be it Rs 500 or Rs five crores,” said an advocate.

Cases of at least 16 police stations including K R Puram, Hennur Road, Banaswadi, D G Halli, K G Halli, Indiranagar, HAL, Bhimanagar, Old Airport, Ulsoor, Ashok Nagar, Rama Murthynagar, Viveknagar, Commercial Street, Shivajinagar and Bharthinagar come under this court’s jurisdiction. “But only five to six staffers handles the case files here, who act dumb when asked for files,” an advocate said.
 “After going through such experiences, many international banks that have branches near this court started sending their people to work in the court to maintain their files. If we need to look for any file, we go to these bank persons,” he said.
DH News Service