“Ek court aur ek aspatal dono ke chakkar na kaate-kaate saalon nikal jaate hain” — a sentiment deeply entrenched in Indian households. While this saying reflects a collective frustration with the judicial system, the irony is how fervently we turn to it when our rights are at stake.
Recently, I witnessed an 18-year-long legal battle unfold before my eyes. An elderly, meek man — still haunted by his perpetrators — was in court, not because his lawyer had summoned him, but because he sought a sense of closure. For him, the advocate’s stamp symbolized a shield, even though the judgment had already been passed. This is not an anomaly but a glimpse into an overburdened judicial system, where cases linger and justice moves slower than a leisurely walk in the park.
During my internship at the City Civil Court in Ahmedabad, I encountered a diverse spectrum of characters: lawyers who changed colors like chameleons, victims clinging to hope, defendants with the composure of poker players, and judges racing against time to clear their desks. The atmosphere ranged from apathy to intense engagement, yet the system itself remains an immovable, archaic monolith.
Three Core Issues Plaguing the System
The Ever-Growing Backlog
The sheer volume of pending cases in Indian courts would make even a seasoned mathematician balk. Both judges and lawyers share responsibility. Lawyers have mastered the art of adjournments, repeatedly pleading for “one more date,” and judges, in their pursuit of fairness, often concede. Files continue to pile up endlessly. I have seen courtrooms with cabinets labeled February 2025 — in December 2024, I was relieved it wasn’t marked as 2030.
Efficiency remains a distant dream, much like the promise of poverty eradication.
Lack of Courtroom Decorum
The chaos inside courtrooms often rivals the peak-hour commotion of a fish market. Lawyers move in and out, clients chat among themselves, and clerks dart around like restless bees. Amidst this cacophony, the judge — the decider of justice — sits, trying to maintain focus. How can we expect judges to deliver efficient and thoughtful orders when the environment itself is so disruptive? If silence is golden, then our courts are drowning in tarnished brass.
Accessibility of Justice
Is justice truly accessible to all? In a system where financial resources dictate outcomes, one wonders: Is justice a privilege reserved for the wealthy? The corruption doesn’t stem from the ground level alone but often starts at the higher echelons of the judiciary, trickling downward. As Lord Acton famously remarked, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
The Need for Systemic Change
While these issues seem insurmountable, transformative reforms can breathe new life into our judiciary.
- Legal Education from an Early Age: Legal literacy must begin early. Introducing basic legal knowledge in school curriculums will foster awareness among citizens. Additionally, professional ethics should become a mandatory part of every law student’s education.
- Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI has immense potential to revolutionize the judiciary. The digitization spurred by COVID-19 has shown how virtual courts can reduce the burden on litigants. Extending AI tools to lower courts, particularly in rural areas, will make justice more accessible to both skilled and unskilled citizens.
- Aadhar Integration for Systematic Case Management: Linking Aadhar to court processes can streamline case registrations and help manage the judicial docket more effectively.
- Prioritizing Long-Pending Cases: Cases lingering for decades — some over 20 to 80 years old — must be prioritized. Day-to-day hearings can ensure such matters are resolved within a span of two to three months.
- Judiciary’s Role in Empowering the Underprivileged: The judiciary must extend proactive support to marginalized and specially-abled individuals. Trust in the judicial system is crucial; without it, societal chaos is inevitable.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite its flaws, the Indian judiciary remains the final bastion for justice seekers. Its resilience lies in its people — from victims seeking closure to lawyers fighting with conviction. The human element is the system’s saving grace.
However, unless we address these systemic issues, our courts will continue to resemble a carnival rather than the temple of justice they are meant to be. It is time to stop pointing fingers and start implementing solutions. Until then, the wheels of justice will keep grinding — painfully slow — leaving everyone echoing that eternal plea: “Tariq pe tariq.”
Author: Shrishti Yadav
