Forum for Fast Justice Urges Government Action on India’s 5 Crore Case Backlog

 

Mumbai: India, the world’s largest democracy, is facing a significant challenge with a backlog of over 5 crore cases in its courts as of December 2023. Bhagwanji Bhai Raiyani, Chairman of Forum for Fast Justice, emphasized the urgent need for judicial reforms to ensure timely justice for the Indian public. He called on the government to increase the number of judges, reduce the number of hearings per case, and set fixed timeframes for passing orders. Raiyani also stressed that VIPs and politicians should not receive preferential treatment in court hearings.

"Forum for Fast Justice", an NGO founded in 2008 and with a presence in 23 states, aims to expedite the judicial process. Raiyani pointed to the Supreme Court's 2002 judgment, which mandated an increase in the judge-to-population ratio from 10.50 to 50 judges per million people, a directive yet to be fully implemented. He also urged the government to honor the 16 point program outlined in the BJP's 2014 election manifesto to fast-track judicial proceedings.

The backlog has severe consequences, including widespread corruption, inefficiency in governance, and an adverse impact on the nation’s growth and international image. Raiyani called for urgent action to address these issues, which are affecting not only the judiciary but also the public's trust in democratic values.

Trustees Rajendra Thakkar and Ashish Mehta announced that a Public Meeting on Judicial Reforms will be held on January 5, 2025, at Ambedkar Hall, Dadar, Mumbai. The meeting will be addressed by leading advocates to discuss ways to implement reforms and ensure timely justice for all citizens.