For speedy disposal of judicial matters, the Delhi Government is likely to set up 22 Commercial Courts and 18 fast track courts in the capital, reported The Times Of India. Earlier, Delhi High Court has ordered the state government to establish these courts and the matter is for hearing on October 1.
This decision to build courts is expected to build a business-friendly environment and enhance the city’s ease-of-doing-business rank. The matter has been presented before the cabinet, and a decision is expected soon.
Pending cases and missing judges
Apart from 15,000 odd commercial cases, nearly 89,000 civil cases remain pending with 59 subordinate courts in the city. Courts dealing with civil matters, including commercial cases, are burdened with the excessive number of cases.
India has 19 judges per 10 lakh people on an average, according to a Law Ministry data (2018) which also mentions that the judiciary faces a shortage of over 6,000 judges, including over 5,000 in the lower courts itself.
The Law Department of Delhi Government has drafted a proposal for the creation of 22 posts of judges, governed by the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, for the subordinate courts and ancillary staff.
Early in 2019, State High Court had asked the Delhi Government to create 22 posts for judges and 24 for senior judicial assistants, senior personal assistants and personal assistants, among other staff at the district level.
Considering the recommendation of the administrative reforms department, the finance department gave its approval to the proposal but has directed the posts of 48 peons to be outsourced.
The courts will be established in different districts for all the citizens from across the national capital. Commercial courts have been functional in Delhi HC for some time to ensure quick disposal of commercial disputes. The commercial benches were initiated in Delhi and Bombay high courts because of high commercial activity and a large number of disputes in the two cities.
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