JUSTICE DELAYED, PROSPERITY DENIED: AN IN-DEPTH ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF JUDICIAL BACKLOGS IN INDIA
-Nileena Banerjee
ABSTRACT
India’s judicial system, often a subject of scrutiny for its perceived sluggishness, has emerged as a central point of contention regarding its influence on the nation’s evolving economic landscape. This paper conducts a thorough examination of India’s judicial system, specifically addressing the escalating backlog of cases in the Supreme Court, High Courts, and District Courts. The study delves into the significant implications this backlog holds for the country’s economic prosperity. The historical background and constitutional mandates for timely justice underscore the significance of the issue. The analysis of pendency in the Supreme Court, High Courts, and District Courts reveals a troubling pattern of judicial delay, with backlogs consistently increasing over the years. Over a ten-year period, encompassing data from 2012 to 2022, this study endeavors to establish correlations and regression models that illuminate the relationship between indicators of judicial efficiency, including average case disposal time and case backlog, and economic performance, as evidenced by GDP growth. The findings reveal a modest yet negative correlation between the duration of average case disposal and GDP growth, signifying that as judicial processes decelerate, there is a concomitant reduction in economic growth. Furthermore, a mild yet significant inverse correlation is observed between the volume of pending cases, denoted by the case backlog, and GDP growth. This trend underscores that as the backlog of cases awaiting resolution expands, economic growth tends to experience a modest decline. In conclusion, this paper underscores the substantial impact of court delays on India’s economic progress, highlighting the pressing need for systemic reform aimed at ensuring the swift and efficient administration of justice. As India progresses in its economic development journey, it is crucial to tackle the efficiency challenges within the judicial system to maintain growth and uphold the principles of justice.
Keywords: Judicial Efficiency, Case Backlog, Supreme Court, Economic Impact.
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