14 lakh cases pending in Haryana courts

Haryana is burdened with a massive backlog of 14,30,151 pending cases, with over 70 per cent of them pending for more than a year. National Judicial Data Grid — the monitoring tool to identify, manage and reduce pendency — reveals that the primary reason behind the prolonged delay is the non-availability of counsel, which continues to hinder the smooth progress of cases. Besides, stay orders have emerged as another significant factor contributing to the mounting pendency, further straining the state’s judicial system.

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Out of the total pending cases in the district courts across the state, 4,37,826 are civil cases, while 9,92,325 are criminal matters. Among these, 72.88 per cent of civil cases and 70.29 per cent of criminal cases have been pending for over a year. Furthermore, 72,844 pre-litigation and pre-trial matters remain unresolved, with 21.69 per cent of them older than one year.

Age-wise data indicate that 29 per cent of pending cases are less than one-year old, while the highest pendency falls in the one to three years bracket at 37 per cent. Cases pending for three to five years account for 19 per cent, followed by 15 per cent for cases between five and 10 years. The cases pending for over a decade are fewer in number – just 3,829, but they highlight the need for streamlining the system.

A gender-based analysis of the data indicates that 1,06,457 cases filed by women are pending, constituting seven per cent of the total pendency. Senior citizens, too, have a notable presence in the backlog, with 97,790 or seven per cent cases pending, reflecting delays even in matters requiring priority.

The primary causes of delays paint a concerning picture. Available information suggests the non-availability of counsel accounts for the highest number of stalled cases at 2,72,588, followed by stay orders at 84,346 and witness-related delays in 40,655 matters. Accused absconding, awaiting documents, frequent appeals, and lack of interest from parties further exacerbate the issue.

Haryana has 21 sessions divisions. The direct fallout of the colossal pendency is long adjournments and lesser number of hearings in a year, hampering the protection of fundamental rights. The effect of the ever-increasing pendency of cases is also reflected in an increase in the number of under-trials or un-convicted prisoners lodged in the jails. Among other things, the data bring out an urgent need for structural reforms in the judicial processes, including expediting matters with stay order and improving document management systems to ensure smoother case disposal.

Significant backlog across different age brackets

The National Judicial Data Grid reveals a significant backlog across different age brackets in Haryana. A total of 4,13,516 cases – 1,18,731 civil and 2,94,785 criminal – are less than one-year old, constituting 29 per cent of the total pendency.

Cases pending for one to three years represent the largest segment, with 5,25,147 cases – 1, 62,121 civil and 3,63,026 criminal matters – accounting for 37 per cent of the total. The three to five-year bracket includes 2,75,930 cases - 83,503 civil and 1,92,427 criminal matters – representing 19 per cent of the total. Cases pending for five to 10 years number 2,11,729 – 70,856 civil and 1,40,873 criminal – constituting 15 per cent of the total. The number of cases pending for over a decade is relatively small at 3,829 -- 2,615 civil and 1,214 criminal matters.