Over 4.33 Lakh Cases Pile Up as Punjab & Haryana High Court Faces Severe Judge Shortage

The Punjab and Haryana High Court is facing a severe crisis with mounting case backlogs due to a significant shortage of judges, raising serious concerns about access to timely justice in the region.

Alarming Numbers Paint a Grim Picture

Current statistics reveal a staggering 4,33,253 pending cases, comprising 1,61,362 criminal and 2,71,891 civil cases. The National Judicial Data Grid reports that 26% of these cases (1,12,754) have been pending for over a decade. Another 27% (1,17,805) have remained unresolved for 5-10 years, highlighting the magnitude of delayed justice.

Judicial Vacancy Crisis Deepens

The situation appears more concerning with only 54 judges currently serving against the sanctioned strength of 85, leaving 31 positions vacant. The outlook becomes bleaker with six more judges set to retire by 2025. While nine district and sessions judges are slated for promotion to the High Court, the complex appointment process, involving multiple authorities from state to central levels, could take several months. 

The recruitment process involves a lengthy chain of approvals, starting from the High Court Collegium's recommendations to final presidential warrants, passing through various stages including state government, governors, Intelligence Bureau, Supreme Court Collegium, and the Union Law Ministry.