In a significant administrative step aimed at reducing the backlog of criminal appeals, the Gujarat High Court has announced the constitution of special benches to hear cases that have been pending for over a decade, particularly those involving convicts who have been imprisoned for more than ten years.
According to an official notification, from July to October 2025, the High Court will constitute Special Division Benches and Single-Judge Benches that will sit on working Saturdays to adjudicate these long-pending appeals. The initiative began on July 5, with nine Division Benches and three single judges hearing such matters.
The Court clarified that these cases, designated as “Targeted Matters,” will be listed on Saturdays regardless of their previously assigned hearing dates. “The Criminal Appeals will be listed before the Special Benches on Saturdays, irrespective of whether the said matters are already fixed or adjourned to another date. This will be done by preponing or postponing the date assigned by the Hon’ble Courts/System-Generated next listing date,” the High Court stated.
To streamline the process, the cause list for each Saturday will be published a day in advance in accordance with the schedule of special benches. However, the Court has clarified that the 100 oldest criminal appeals will continue to be listed every Wednesday under the heading “WEDNESDAY WEEKLY LIST (WWL) OF ‘02.07.2025’.”
