New courts will slash pending cases in Gujarat to zero by May 2011.
The state government proposes to set up 700 ad hoc courts across Gujarat at the cost of Rs250 crore, to reduce the backlog of cases in the state’s courts. These courts will be temporary in nature. Currently, the total number of pending cases in the state is estimated to be around 22 lakh. Highly placed sources in the state government said that the ad hoc courts will start functioning from May this year. They are expected to reduce the backlog of cases to nearly zero before the end of the Gujarat Golden Jubilee year in May 2011.
The sources further said that, every year, around 12,76 lakh new cases are registered in the state’s courts against around 13.25 lakh cases that are disposed of. “Thus every year the backlog increases by around 1 lakh cases,” a source said. “Once the ad hoc courts become functional, around 2 lakh petty cases will be disposed of by May 1, 2010 itself.
The government hopes that, out of the total of 22 lakh pending cases, it would be possible to dispose of at least 10 lakh cases in the next one year.” The government plans to appoint 700 ad hoc judges for these courts. Ad hoc assistant public prosecutors (APPs) will also be appointed, the source added.
After the first batch of 7oo ad hoc temporary courts, the government will need to set up 100 ad hoc courts every year to keep the backlog of cases to a minimum. These courts will cost the government exchequer Rs100 crore per annum. Sources further said that 90 new evening courts will also be set up soon to help reduce the backlog of cases.
"The new evening courts will be assigned cases in specific areas such as motor vehicle cases, cases arising out of maintenance and alimony disputes, and negotiable instruments act cases, among others," another source said. "The government also plans to post the date of hearing of similar cases to between March 2010 and August 2010 so that they can be disposed of quickly."
Further, districts and talukas with a large number backlog of cases will be identified. "Special courts will be started in these places to clear the backlog," the source said. "Efforts will be made to reduce the backlog in the high court, too. A request has already been sent to the Union government to fill the vacancies of judges and increase the number of justices in the Gujarat high court." Government departments will also be asked to take special measures to reduce the number of court cases.
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