By Vishwapati
Patna:The backlog of cases in Bihar’s judicial system has reached a critical level, with more than 36 lakh cases awaiting resolution in the state’s courts. According to a recent report, over 17.67 lakh cases have been pending for more than five years, highlighting the slow pace of judicial proceedings.
The Model Case Flow Management Committee has directed the High Court to expedite the disposal of cases that have been pending for over a decade. In response, the High Court has issued instructions to the state government to take necessary measures. However, the situation in lower courts remains dire, with a severe shortage of judicial officers further exacerbating delays.
Case Backlog Statistics:
- Total pending cases in lower courts: Over 36 lakh
- Cases pending for more than 10 years:
- Criminal: 7,01,354
- Civil: 94,955
- Cases pending for 5–10 years:
- Criminal: 10,65,145
- Civil: 1,45,363
Shortage of Judicial Officers and Prosecutors
One of the major hurdles in addressing the backlog is the acute shortage of judicial officers and prosecutors. As of now, Bihar has approximately 1,554 judicial service officers, each handling an average of 2,323 cases. Moreover, over 1,200 posts of Public Prosecutors (PPs), Additional Public Prosecutors (APPs), and Special Public Prosecutors (SPPs) remain vacant, further slowing down case proceedings.
Efforts to increase judicial capacity have seen setbacks. In August 2019, then Chief Justice A.P. Shahi recommended names for judge appointments under both the lawyer and judicial service quotas, but the Supreme Court returned the proposal, and no new appointments were made. Meanwhile, several judges have retired, worsening the crisis.
Government Response and the Road Ahead
In a recent review meeting, the Chief Secretary instructed the Law and Home Departments to take immediate steps to reduce the backlog. The Law Department has been directed to fill vacant PP, APP, and SPP positions to support case hearings. However, sources indicate that no concrete recruitment process has begun.
The increasing pendency of cases in Bihar’s courts calls for urgent intervention. Addressing this issue requires a coordinated effort from the government, judiciary, police, and civil society. The real challenge lies in expediting case hearings while ensuring that judicial vacancies are filled promptly. How soon these measures will be implemented remains to be seen.
- The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com
