The Supreme Court of India has reported a significant rise in the settlement of cases throughout 2023, exceeding the number of incidents registered during the same time frame.
The Contributing Factors to the High Disposal of Cases
The Supreme Court processed 52,191 cases between January 1 and December 15, 2023, as opposed to the 49,191 cases documented over the same duration. The Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS), initially introduced in 2017, proved instrumental in reaching record-breaking disposal figures. The Chief Justice of India streamlined the filing-to-listing duration, ensuring cases were listed in only five days, a significant decrease from the previous 10-day requirement. Issues concerning bail, habeas corpus, demolition, and anticipatory bail were managed within a day and promptly forwarded to the courts, giving priority to the right to liberty. Special Benches, including those handling death penalty cases, were formed.
Understanding the Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS)
ICMIS is an advanced hybrid database employed by the Supreme Court. It amalgamates various information sources related to cases, such as their status, orders, judgments, appeals, etc. ICMIS enables litigants to access and retrieve case details online through a user-friendly interface. It offers real-time updates on case progress. Furthermore, ICMIS helps diminish manipulation and delay in case filing and disposal. The system also accommodates the online submission of cases and documents via e-filing portals.
Other Initiatives Aimed at Reducing Pendency of Cases
The Government of India has pioneered the e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project to digitize District and subordinate courts, enhancing justice accessibility via technology. Kicked off in 2007, this initiative is part of the National e-Governance Plan and works closely with the e-Committee Supreme Court of India and the Department of Justice. The project proceeded in two phases, the first from 2011-2015 and the second phase starting in 2015, focusing on the computerization of District and Subordinate courts.
Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) were created to accelerate trials for sexual crimes, especially those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), addressing delays met in conventional courts. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, passed in 2018, governs them under the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice.
The Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency (SUPACE) functions as a fact and law gathering system, supplying judges with crucial information for decision-making. While SUPACE does not make decisions itself, it processes facts for judges requiring input in their decision-making.
Learning from Past UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
A question from the 2021 UPSC Civil Services Examination asked candidates to consider the following statements:
1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with the President of India’s prior permission.
2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgement as the Supreme Court does.
When asked which of these statements is correct, the answer was both 1 and 2.