In a recent hearing, the Delhi High Court has voiced its concerns over an “acute shortage of judges,” a situation that is severely impacting the court’s ability to hear cases in a timely manner. This judicial bottleneck has left many cases, including appeals, unheard, creating significant distress within the justice system.
During a plea by a convict involved in a cheating and forgery case, who requested permission to travel abroad for a Rotary Club assembly in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, Justice Girish Kathpalia highlighted the ongoing struggle. He noted that the backlog of cases prevents the court from deciding appeals “within a reasonable period of time,” adding that denying leisure trips under these circumstances could not be justified.
The court has permitted the convict to travel from May 1 to May 11, provided he furnishes a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh along with a similar surety. This decision came despite previous reservations expressed by the CBI regarding the possibility of the convict not returning to face legal proceedings.
Justice Kathpalia remarked on the gravity of the judge shortage relative to the population and litigation volume, which often leaves the day’s scheduled hearings incomplete, extending work beyond the usual court hours. He described the situation as “extremely painful” for judges who are unable to conclude the daily list of matters.
The scenario is exacerbated by the fact that the appellant’s plea challenging his conviction has been pending since 2019, awaiting its turn as a regular matter. The court emphasized the necessity of imposing stringent conditions to ensure the appellant’s return, acknowledging the need to balance the judicial duties and the rights of the individual.
