Pendency of 3 crore cases in courts worrisome backlog: Law Minister Sadananda Gowda

BHOPAL: Expressing concern over the pendency of nearly three crore cases in the country, Union Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today said it is a "worrisome backlog".

"Although the continuing growth of pending cases in courts has been stemmed in the last three years, the mountain of more than three crore pending case still remains as a worrisome backlog," Gowda said, addressing the fourth retreat of Supreme Court Judges at the National Judicial Academy here.

The minister said the government has taken steps to remove hundreds of obsolete laws from the statute book.

"We have taken steps to remove hundreds of obsolete laws from the statute book. We are revising the National Litigation Policy in order that the government discharges its role as a responsible litigant and to reduce unwarranted government litigation," he said.

"We have taken up the amendments to Arbitration and Conciliation Act. We have passed the legislation setting up specialised Commercial Courts to resolve commercial disputes expeditiously.

"All these measures reflect the government's commitment in making India an ideal destination for foreign investment, a hub of arbitration and to choose a path where the growth and development go together to transform our country," the minister said.

Gowda, however, said these measures would remain inadequate unless justice is "available" to the common man.

"Dispensation of justice is also vital for maintaining law and order and peace in the society. It is normally said, if you want to work for peace, work for justice. In fact, the foundation of civilisation rests on a just society," he said.

On the improved infrastructure in judiciary, he said, "In the field of infrastructure for courts, a lot of government's measures have yielded good results.