Thiruvananthapuram: The wait for justice for ordinary citizens approaching Kerala’s courts is stretching endlessly. According to the latest figures from the National Judicial Data Grid, the capital district of Thiruvananthapuram has the highest number of pending cases in the state. As many as 3.52 lakh cases remain unresolved here alone. This alarming statistic comes at a time when 20.48 lakh cases are pending across Kerala.
The burden of cases in the capital
In Thiruvananthapuram’s courts alone, 90,516 civil cases and 2,62,298 criminal cases are pending. Compared to last year, there has been a significant increase in these numbers. In the High Court by itself, 2.59 lakh cases are awaiting disposal.
Snapshot of figures from other districts
The total number of civil and criminal cases pending in various districts of the state is as follows:
Ernakulam: 63,554 civil | 2,40,958 criminal | 3,04,512 total
Thrissur: 81,163 civil | 1,22,828 criminal | 2,03,991 total
Kollam: 44,227 civil | 1,34,457 criminal | 1,78,684 total
Palakkad: 42,989 civil | 65,186 criminal | 1,08,175 total
Kozhikode: 38,088 civil | 68,668 criminal | 1,06,756 total
Malappuram: 31,446 civil | 73,955 criminal | 1,05,401 total
Alappuzha: 37,996 civil | 55,382 criminal | 93,378 total
Kannur: 32,716 civil | 45,312 criminal | 78,028 total
Pathanamthitta: 21,472 civil | 53,064 criminal | 74,536 total
Kottayam: 29,876 civil | 39,707 criminal | 69,583 total
Idukki: 12,416 civil | 43,106 criminal | 55,522 total
Wayanad: 7,054 civil | 21,907 criminal | 28,961 total
Kasaragod: 8,476 civil | 19,238 criminal | 27,714 total
Justice delayed despite benefits
Judicial officers receive high salaries as recommended by the Shetty Commission, along with medical facilities, petrol allowance, and various other benefits funded by the state exchequer. Despite this, the slow pace of case disposal is causing serious distress to ordinary citizens. Adding to the gravity of the situation is the fact that 89,577 cases are more than ten years old.
Urgent intervention needed
Even after the introduction of online hearings and modern systems, the daily increase in pending cases poses a major challenge. Whether this is due to staff shortages or other technical hurdles needs urgent examination by the High Court. Delays in justice from courts—the last hope of the common people—can have serious social repercussions.
There is a growing demand for urgent supervision and intervention by the Supreme Court in this matter.
