LI Network
Published on: 19 July, 2025 22:25 IST
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta recently raised the alarm over the thousands of pending court cases involving the government. She called for a complete overhaul of how litigation is managed and pressed for urgent reforms.
At a high-level meeting attended by Law and Order Minister Kapil Mishra and senior officials, the Chief Minister was informed that between 4,000 to 5,000 government-related cases are currently pending across various courts and tribunals.
“Too many cases, too little coordination,” remarked one official, summing up the situation.
To tackle the backlog, Ms. Gupta directed the Law Department to form expert panels comprising retired bureaucrats and seasoned legal professionals. Their task: to review pending cases, identify matters that can be expedited, settled, or withdrawn, and streamline the government’s litigation strategy.
A key issue raised during the meeting was the absence of a dedicated panel of lawyers representing Delhi in the Supreme Court—something most other states already have. The Chief Minister promptly instructed the department to set up panels of senior advocates for the Supreme Court, the Delhi High Court, and other key tribunals. She also stressed the need for proper legal contracts and accountability clauses for all empanelled advocates.
Court infrastructure was another area of concern. Officials cited an acute shortage of judicial officers and lack of adequate workspaces. The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of three under-construction court complexes in Shastri Park, Karkardooma, and Rohini, and urged agencies to fast-track the projects.
Ms. Gupta also called attention to the continued use of outdated colonial-era laws such as the Punjab Courts Act and the Suit Valuation Act—both over a century old. She instructed the Law Department to start drafting modern alternatives that reflect today’s administrative realities.
Another serious gap flagged was the lax oversight of Oath Commissioners, who are responsible for verifying legal documents and affidavits. The Chief Minister criticized the outdated records and lack of monitoring, ordering an immediate audit to bring transparency and accountability.
The Delhi Dispute Resolution Society, which oversees out-of-court settlements, also came under review. However, no new decisions were announced for the body.
While the roadmap for legal reform is now on paper, Ms. Gupta emphasized that the real challenge lies in execution. With thousands of cases still clogging the system, the coming weeks will test whether this ambitious push can translate into actual change—or whether Delhi’s legal woes will continue to drag on.