Over 11 lakh cases are pending in different courts, including the Andhra Pradesh High Court, in the State.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Gade Venkata Reddy during Question Hour, Law and Courts Minister Erasu Pratap Reddy informed the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that as many as 1,98,214 cases were pending in the State High Court as on December 31, 2011. Similarly, the total pendency of cases in the subordinate courts is 9,45,737.
The minister said for speedy disposal of cases, 108 Fast Track Courts have been established as per the funds provided by the Central Government for a period of 10 years, up to March 31, 2011, and thereafter by the State Government.
Pratap Reddy said that the State Government has established new courts in the State in the cadre of District Courts at Vikarabad in Ranga Reddy district, Wanaparthy of Mahbubnagar, Kovvur of West Godavari, ACB Court for trial of ACB Cases at Kurnool and five CBI Courts including three in Hyderabad and two courts in Visakhapatnam. In the cadre of Senior Civil Judge’s Courts at Dharmavaram of Anantapur district and in the cadre of Junior Civil Judges courts one at Kottur of Srikakulam district, one at Alair of Nalgonda and Railway Court at Khazipet in Warangal district.
“As and when the proposal from the High Court is received for creation of new courts, the government is taking steps for establishment of new courts in order to render speedy justice to the litigant public and also for expeditious disposal of cases, where the pendency demands for establishment of additional courts,” the minister said.
The minister said that there was a proposal to either make permanent the existing Fast Track Courts or to extend the period for one more year exclusively funded by the State Government and to make permanent 108 Fast Track Courts in a phased manner. The proposal is processed and pending for consideration in order to take a decision, he said.
Further, there is a proposal to establish 139 Gram Nyayalayas, as recommended by the High Court at places identified in various districts with the object of taking justice to the door steps of litigant public, to dispose of petty disputes and provide peace and tranquility in the villages without following the cumbersome procedure in precudural laws, Pratap Reddy said.
Under the 13th Finance Commission, the minister said that under 140 Special Magistrate Courts have been sanctioned and established in various districts as recommended by the High Court presided over the retired Judicial Officers. Similarly, 113 Special Judicial Magistrates of IInd class Court have been sanctioned in various districts. (INN)