‘Disposal of cases in Gauhati High Court more than the rate of institution’ says Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph

GUWAHATI, July 30: The Gauhati High Court has topped among 24 High Courts of the country in case disposal records. This was revealed by Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph while speaking on a two-day conference held at the Pravashi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi in connection with ‘National initiative to Reduce Pendency and Delay in Judicial System’ on July 27 and 28.

Speaking on the occasion on the pendency and avoidance of pendency, the Supreme Court Judge has expressed serious concern over increasing pendency in several High Courts. Even courts in small states like Sikkim, Manipur and Meghalaya are experiencing increased number of pendency. Speaking on the disposal of pendency, Joseph said, “Only three courts in the country can take the legitimate pride in reducing the pendency where disposal is more than the institution.”

Apart from the Supreme Court of India, this credit goes to two high courts - one is the Gauhati High Court arid the other is the High Court of Orissa. He also welcomed a round of applause from the dignitaries for such wonderful performance by these two high courts. Justice Joseph has also expressed concern that no court in the country functions with full strength.

Even the Gauhati High Court, which has sanctioned strength of 24 judges, is now functioning with 17 judges while despite the sanctioned strength of 27 judges the Orissa High Court is functioning with only 14 judges. Yet, both the high courts have significantly reduced the number of pending cases. He praised both the High Courts for their wonderful performance. He also expressed that when he enquired from the Chief Justice of Gauahti High Court Ajit Singh, with regard to secret of this success, the Chief Justice revealed that it is team work. Notably, according to statistics, on December 31, 2016 the number of cases pending in the Gauhati High Court was 47,574 and till July 25, 2018, the number of cases pending in this High Court has been reduced to 29,830.