Landlord finally receives possession after 38-year legal battle, highlights need for judicial reforms

A landlord in Jaipur, after enduring a 38-year-long legal battle, is set to regain possession of a property with tenants on September 30 this year. The case, which revolved around the issue of seeking eviction three years into a tenancy guaranteed for five years, had languished in the snail-paced three-tier justice delivery system. The Supreme Court, while acknowledging the extraordinary delay in resolving the matter, emphasized the urgent need to address the mounting backlog of cases that erode public faith in the judicial process.

The property in question was purchased by Ravi Khandelwal in 1985 from Jaipur Metal Electric Company, already occupied by Tulika Stores. Seeking eviction after the purchase, Khandelwal faced a 17-year rejection by the trial court on the grounds that the tenancy had commenced in 1982, with the guaranteed five-year period not yet elapsed. The case then moved to the Rajasthan High Court in 2004, where it remained pending for another 16 years, ultimately ruling against the landlord. Finally, in 2020, Khandelwal approached the Supreme Court.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Ahsanuddin Amanullah noted the protracted nature of the dispute and deemed it unjust to subject the parties to further litigation. They invoked the extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution to deliver absolute justice and bring an end to the 38-year-long legal battle.


This case is just one of the thousands that reflect the sluggish pace of justice in India's trial and constitutional courts.

India's oldest civil case dates back to April 4, 1952 and is still pending a hearing before a civil judge in Malda, West Bengal. It is only one of thousands of civil and criminal cases that remain unresolved since decades.

The oldest criminal case, related to a theft in a dwelling unit, was filed on December 1, 1958, and is currently awaiting its next hearing date in Amaravati.

These alarming statistics underscore the pressing need for comprehensive judicial reforms to ensure timely and efficient dispensation of justice. Addressing the backlog, implementing technological advancements, and streamlining court processes are crucial steps towards restoring public confidence and upholding the fundamental right to a swift and fair trial.