Pending cases pile up as vacancies of court employees increase

By Hamsaveni N

According to the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), there are more than 19 lakh criminal and civil pending cases in Karnataka.

Experts say a shortage of staff in courts is one of the main reasons for this.

Data from the Karnataka government show there are more than 8,300 vacancies including court staff, clerical staff, stenographers, first and second division assistants in the law department of the state.

Pratibha, a homemaker from Tumakuru, accompanies to courts her mother, who for about six years has done rounds of courts to get compensation after losing her son in a car accident. “Since my mother is now by herself, I must go with her to court every time. Every time, it costs a lot to travel to Bengaluru. We have no idea why the case has taken this long to resolve.”

Pratibha’s husband, a karate master, said: “With a minimal income, going to courts is a great strain on my family. I only get paid when my school is in session. Justice is taking too long to be served for us.”

Many families like Pratibha’s wait for justice in front of the city civil courts.

There are 9.2 lakh pending civil cases and 9.7 lakh pending criminal cases in Karnataka, according to NJDG data.

Shailaja K. Nayak, special public prosecutor said: “Efforts from one aspect can’t change nor reduce pending cases. Rather it is all-team efforts from the judiciary, police, people and other parties who are involved. Mainly when it comes to criminal cases, we face issues with victims absconding, medical examination, (parties) being absent during