Punjab & Haryana HC Faces 40% Judge Shortage, Recommends 15 Elevations

Amid a severe shortage of judges and a backlog of over 4.32 lakh cases, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has recommended the elevation of 15 District and Sessions Judges after more than two years. The High Court collegium has proposed the names of eight judges from Punjab and seven from Haryana to be elevated to the High Court.

Judicial Crisis in Punjab & Haryana High Court

The High Court is currently facing a 40% shortage of judges, operating with 51 judges against a sanctioned strength of 85, with three more judges set to retire this year. This shortage has led to a significant backlog, impacting the timely delivery of justice.

According to the National Judicial Data Grid, nearly 85% of pending cases have remained unresolved for over a year, with some cases dating back as far as 40 years. Of the total 4,32,227 pending cases, around 2,68,279 are civil cases, while 1,63,948 are criminal matters, directly affecting fundamental rights such as life and liberty.

Long Pending Cases

The scale of judicial delay is highlighted by the following:

• 48,386 second appeals are pending, including five cases from as far back as 1986.
• 15% of cases have been pending for less than a year.
• 30% of cases have been unresolved for five to ten years.
• 29% have been pending for more than a decade.

Despite efforts to resolve legacy matters, the backlog has shown little improvement.

Challenges in Judicial Appointments

The appointment process for new judges involves multiple layers of approval, including:

1. State government clearance.
2. Governors’ recommendation.
3. Supreme Court collegium approval.
4. Final clearance by the Union Law Ministry.

This lengthy and complex process, which spans several months, has further exacerbated the judicial burden.

Efforts to Reduce Backlog

The High Court’s recommendation to elevate 15 district judges is seen as a crucial step to address the backlog and improve judicial efficiency. However, experts emphasise the need for structural reforms and additional measures to handle the mounting caseload.

Key Highlights of the HC Recommendation

• Judges recommended: 15 (8 from Punjab, 7 from Haryana).
• Sanctioned strength of judges: 85.
• Current working strength: 51.
• Pending cases: 4,32,227 (civil and criminal).