PENDING CASES IN SUBORDINATE COURTS

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As per available information, 2.03 crore cases are pending in the subordinate courts as on October 31, 2001. At present, there is a sanctioned strength of 12,737 Judicial Officers in the subordinate courts. As on June 1, 2001, the working strength of judges/magistrates is 10,880 to deal with the cases.

No norms per 10 lakh populations have been fixed. However, the Supreme Court has given directions to the Central Government in the case of All India Judges' Association & Others Vs Union of India and Others directing that the existing vacancies in the subordinate courts at all levels should be filled, if possible latest by March 31,2003, in all the States. The increase in the judges strength to 50 judges per 10 lakh people should be effected and implemented with the filling up of the posts in a phased manner and the process should be completed and increased vacancies and posts filled within a period of five years.

The judgement of the Supreme Court has since been forwarded for the information and necessary action to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs vide his letter of April 26, 2002 has written to all State Governments for taking early steps for filling up of vacancies in the subordinate courts on priority.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley in a written reply to a question from Dr. Alladi P. Raj Kumar in the Rajya Sabha today.