Act today, tomorrow it may be too late

Sir,

This refers to K.B. Ganapathy’s Abracadabra titled “Time for Judicial Reform in a Big Way” (SOM dated Nov. 14) about the broken judiciary and I would like to add the following to what was said in that article.

Justice system is breaking at the seams. Justice delayed is justice denied. Once the cases go to Courts, it takes six to seven years for cases before the High Courts to get decided.

Major reason is Judge to the population ratio. In 2024, the Law Minister informed in the Lok Sabha that there are only 21 Judges per million population as against 50 Judges recommended by the Law Commission. Also, vacant posts are not being filled.

Of the sanctioned strength of 1,114 Judges for High Courts, present strength is 770. Cases pending before the Supreme Court is over 80,000 and the High Courts is 5.1 crore.

As per NITI Aayog, it will take 324 years to clear the backlog. Even under Income Tax Act, 4.92 lakh cases are pending before CIT (Commissioner of Income Tax) Appeals, 88,000 cases before ITAT (Income Tax Appellate Tribunal), 42,000 cases before the High Courts and 5,272 cases before the Supreme Court. More than Rs. 10 lakh crore is held up in tax disputes. Yes, judicial system needs a reform in a big way. Act today, tomorrow it may be too late.

– B.S. Ravikumar, Sr. Chartered Accountant, Mysuru, 16.11.2024

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