SC said a big thing, 6% of India’s population is affected by litigation
New Delhi: The Supreme Court said that there is an urgent need to take proactive steps to settle pending cases and curb the methods of postponing hearings. The court said that about six percent of the population in India is embroiled in litigation, in such a situation the role of courts becomes important.
Issuing several directions, the court said there is an urgent need to take proactive steps to dispose of the pending cases at all levels. Not only this, the court further said that there is a need for introspection by all the stakeholders to fulfill the aspirations of the litigants who want speedy justice and to curb the methods of postponing the hearing.
Justice S. A bench of Justices Ravindra Bhat (retd) and Justice Arvind Kumar, in its order passed on Friday, directed all the district and taluka level courts to serve summons, file written statements, complete arguments, admit or reject the petition for hearing. Gave instructions for recording and quick disposal of cases etc.
The bench also directed the constitution of committees by the Chief Justice of the respective states for continuous monitoring of old cases pending for more than five years. The court said that people file their suits in the hope of justice, therefore, it is the great responsibility of all the stakeholders to ensure that the faith of the people in the system is not diminished due to delay in getting justice.
The Supreme Court directed all courts at the district and taluka level to ensure service of summons in a time bound manner as prescribed under Order 5, Rule (2) of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC). The order said that after the trial, oral arguments will be heard promptly and consecutively and the verdict will be announced within the stipulated period.
The court passed this order on the petition of Yashpal Jain, who had moved the Supreme Court challenging the 2019 order of the Uttarakhand High Court in a civil suit. The case, which started 43 years ago, is still continuing in a local court there. The bench set aside the High Court order and asked the lower court to decide on Jain’s plea within six months.
