Justice Jain assures to dispose of 10-year old cases

Chandigarh, Apr 20 (UNI) Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Vijender Jain today assured that the cases which were pending in various courts for the last 10 years would be disposed off on priority basis before December 31 this year.

Justice Jain was interacting with mediapersons after presiding over the first conclave of judicial officers from the States of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh at Indradhanush Auditorium, Panchkula near here.

Enumerating the pending cases, Chief Justice said that about 5.61 lakh cases of Punjab, 5.49 lakh cases of Haryana were pending in the courts, which would be quickly disposed off in the coming months.

These pending cases in the subordinate courts had been divided into three categories.

The cases pending for the last 20 years, 10 years and 5 years had been included in first, second and third category respectively.

He said that cases in first category which were pending for the last 20 years, had already been disposed off. There were about 1000 cases pending in Punjab, 400 in Haryana and about 300 in Chandigarh in the second category.

Similarly, about 35 per cent cases had been disposed off which were pending for the last five years in third category.

He maintained that innovative methods of information technology must be used in the judiciary system.

In answer to a question about the quality of justice in quick disposal of cases, the Chief Justice said that disposing off pending cases, quality of justice should not be compromised at any cost.

Justice Jain said that the Mobile Courts which was started last year in Haryana and Punjab has shown fruitful results. He said that Mobile Courts would also be set up in other areas of the two states.

When questioned about the functioning of Mobile Courts, he said that these courts had done a tremendous job besides excellent feedback was being received. He said that about 1100 cases were disposed off in Haryana while in Punjab total disposal of cases was almost the same as Haryana despite the fact that it was started two months later.

Justice Jain said that judiciary system was also the part of the increasing industrial growth in the states as well as in the country.

Regarding the filling up of the vacancies, Justice Jain said that posts of High Court judges had been increased to 68 from 53 which would soon be filled-up soon.

UNI HS VN1922