How does the growing pendency of cases in the Supreme Court impact the quality of justice in India?
The Supreme Court faces a backlog of over 88,000 cases. I want to understand how such pendency affects the delivery and perception of justice, and what deeper consequences it might have on society and governance.
The Supreme Court of India is the highest court of the country and plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights. However, the growing pendency of cases—now exceeding 88,000—raises serious concerns about the quality and effectiveness of justice delivery.
- Delayed Justice: Long pendency means litigants have to wait years for their cases to be heard, which undermines the principle that “justice delayed is justice denied.” This can cause frustration and hardship for individuals seeking timely relief.
- Reduced Quality of Judgments: With a heavy caseload, judges may have less time to thoroughly analyze each case, leading to hurried hearings and less detailed judgments, which can affect the quality of justice delivered.
- Loss of Public Trust: Persistent delays and backlogs can erode people’s faith in the judicial system, making them less likely to approach courts for redressal and weakening the legitimacy of the institution.
- Impact on Governance: Many cases involve important constitutional and policy matters. Delays in their resolution can stall government projects, reforms, and even affect the functioning of legislatures and executive bodies.
- Encouragement of Unlawful Practices: Slow justice delivery may compel some people to seek alternative, sometimes illegal, means to resolve disputes, which can increase lawlessness and weaken the rule of law.
- Economic Consequences: Delayed decisions in commercial and economic matters can impact business confidence, investments, and overall economic growth, as parties remain uncertain about outcomes.
- Increased Pressure on Lower Courts: As the Supreme Court struggles with pendency, lower courts also face pressure, leading to a cascading effect throughout the judicial hierarchy.