Law minister to urge CJs to expedite 10-year-old cases

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad would speak to the chief justices of all the high courts with an urge to fast-track cases that are pending for more than 10 years.

He would also request them to physically verify the pending cases in the high courts as well as local courts and take action to reduce their numbers.

Prasad’s request comes after startling figures from the National Judicial Data Grid revealed that there are 22.52 lakh cases pending in local courts, accounting for 9.25% of the 2.43 crore pending cases of various durations.

Uttar Pradesh tops the chart with 7.46 lakh pending cases, followed by Gujarat with 3.80 lakh cases and 2.60 lakh cases in Maharashtra. Karnataka has 30,739 such cases.

“I will appeal to the chief justices to ensure that cases pending for more than 10 years must be expedited. I will also direct the secretary of the Department of Justice (in the Ministry of Law) to follow it up,” Prasad told the media, while elaborating on the accomplishments of his ministry during the NDA’s three-year rule at the Centre.

Prasad also said the government would make an announcement at an appropriate time regarding the appointment of the successor to Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who recently informed the government of his wish to be relieved of the responsibility.

“We have taken note of the Attorney General’s request not to continue due to personal reasons. We respect that. Rohatgi has been a very distinguished AG. He has served with great distinction,” he said.
Regarding the Memorandum of Procedure for an appointment in the higher judiciary, Prasad said it was a work in progress and the government had covered  wide range.