Parliament Question: Undue Delay in Implementation of Justice

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2458 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13th FEBRUARY, 2026 UNDUE DELAY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF JUSTICE 2458. PROF. SOUGATA RAY: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) the details of steps taken to make justice predictable, accessible, and humane rather than just theoretically sound, ensuring it reaches the average citizen of the country; (b) whether the Government is aware that high litigation costs, complex procedures, and massive backlogs are the main barriers of the sector; and (c) if so, the details of steps taken, so far, to minimise the cost of litigation and expedite the procedures? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) (a) to (c): The justice delivery system consists of a number of stakeholders involved in dispensation of justice which, inter-alia, includes the judiciary, law enforcement authorities, prosecution agencies and legal aid authorities. The Government is committed towards facilitating an ecosystem that promotes transparency, public outreach and community engagement thereby aiding a fair justice delivery system. Some of initiatives taken by the Government in this regard are as under:- i. The Government had setup the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms in 2011, with the twin objectives of increasing access to justice by reducing delays and arrears in the system and enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities. ii. Under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been leveraged for IT enablement of the Indian Judiciary. This has made justice delivery faster, more transparent and accessible to all 1citizens. The establishment of eSewa Kendras to provide front-end facilitation services to citizens and lawyers, and development of the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) as a transparent online repository of case data, has facilitated accessibility to justice. The live streaming of cases and use of video conferencing facilities by courts, jails, etc., has aided greater transparency. Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) tools are integrated into judicial workflows, thereby easing the process flow. iii. Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Judicial Infrastructure, implemented since 1993-94, funds are being released to the States/UTs for construction of court halls, digital computer rooms, lawyers’ halls, etc., for easing the life of lawyers and litigants, thereby aiding justice delivery. As on 31.12.2025, 22683 court halls are available and 3197 court halls are under construction. iv. Fast Track Courts have been established for the expeditious trial of specific categories of cases including heinous crimes, civil cases involving women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, individuals afflicted with terminal illnesses, and property-related cases pending for more than five years. As per information received from the High Courts, 879 FTCs are functional across 22 State/UTs as on 31.12.2025. v. In addition, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts, is operational since October, 2019. These courts are dedicated to the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. As per data provided by the High Courts, 774 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive POCSO Courts, are functional across 29 States/UTs as on 31.12.2025. vi. Arrears Committees have been set up in all 25 High Courts and the District Courts as well to clear cases pending for more than five years. vii. The Government has also amended The Negotiable Instruments ( Amendment) Act, 2018, The Commercial Courts ( Amendment) Act, 2018, The Specific Relief (Amendment) Act, 2018, The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 and The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2018 with a view to reduce pendency. viii. Alternate Dispute Resolution methods have been promoted. The Commercial Courts Act, 2015 was amended in August, 2018 making Pre-institution Mediation and Settlement (PIMS) mandatory in case of commercial disputes. Amendment to 2the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 has been made by the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act 2015 for expediting the speedy resolution of disputes by prescribing timelines. ix. Lok Adalat is an important Alternative Disputes Resolutions Mechanism available to common people, where the disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/compromised amicably. Under The Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987, and award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no appeal lies against it before any court. National Lok Adalats are organised simultaneously in all Taluks, Districts and High Courts on a pre-fixed date. x. Under the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) Scheme, citizen-centric and technology-enabled initiatives have been undertaken to ease the justice delivery. The Tele-Law programme provides an effective and reliable e-interface platform connecting the needy and disadvantaged sections seeking legal advice and consultation with panel lawyers via video conferencing, telephone and chat facilities available at the Common Service Centres (CSCs) situated in Gram Panchayats and through Tele-Law mobile app. The Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Programme promotes a pro bono culture by enabling beneficiaries to access free legal services from registered advocates. Pro Bono Panel of advocates has been established in 23 High Courts. Pro Bono Clubs are functional in 109 Law Schools to instil Pro Bono culture in budding lawyers. Under the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme (LLLAP) partnerships have been forged with Ministries and allied Departments, Institutions, Schools, etc., for facilitating capacity building of existing grassroots/frontline legal workers/volunteers. ***** 3