In a remarkable feat, the Supreme Court of India has disposed of a staggering 52,191 cases in 2023, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s figure of 39,800. This achievement is noted as the highest disposal rate in six years, according to data from the Integrated Case Management System.
A press release issued by the top court revealed that among the cases adjudicated, 45,642 were miscellaneous matters, while approximately 6,549 were regular matters. Notably, even with a substantial filing of 52,660 cases during the said period, the disposal rate matched the number of cases diarized, indicating an efficient and diligent approach to case resolution.
Under the leadership of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, significant reforms were implemented to streamline the timeframe for verification and listing of cases. The period was reduced from 10 days to seven days, demonstrating a commitment to expeditious justice delivery.
The press release highlighted specific areas where expeditious processing was emphasized, including matters such as Bail, Habeas Corpus, Eviction, Demolition, and Anticipatory bail. These cases were processed within a day and promptly listed in courts, emphasizing the court’s commitment to upholding the Right to Liberty at the highest pedestal.
To further enhance efficiency, specialized benches were constituted to handle specific categories of cases. This approach aimed to facilitate a more specialized and effective adjudication process, tailoring the court’s response to the unique demands of different case types.
Between January 1, 2023, and December 15, 2023, the Supreme Court disposed of 4,410 service matters, 11,489 criminal matters, and 10,348 civil matters. This comprehensive effort across various legal domains showcases the court’s dedication to addressing a wide range of issues within the stipulated timeframe.
However, amidst these accomplishments, the Supreme Court Registry has faced intense scrutiny following allegations of improper case listing. Senior lawyers, including Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, raised concerns in an open letter to the CJI. Dave claimed that certain cases, initially assigned to specific benches, were shifted and listed before other benches, violating Supreme Court Rules and the Handbook on Practice and Procedure of the Court governing case listing.
Additionally, Advocate Prashant Bhushan addressed the CJI, expressing grievances over cases involving two advocates and a journalist being listed before a bench presided by Justice Trivedi. These instances sparked controversy and raised questions about the transparency and adherence to established procedures in the case listing process.
In response to these allegations, the Supreme Court Registry has vehemently rebutted the claims, asserting that the case listing procedures were conducted in accordance with established rules and guidelines. The controversy surrounding case listing underscores the delicate balance between ensuring an efficient disposal rate and maintaining the integrity of the legal process.
As the Supreme Court concludes a year marked by record disposals, it also faces the challenge of addressing concerns raised by legal practitioners. The delicate interplay between efficiency and adherence to procedural norms will likely continue to be a focal point of discussions within legal circles, reinforcing the importance of transparency and accountability in the judicial system.
