The Allahabad High Court - one of India's oldest and most prestigious, once graced by figures like India's first premier Jawaharlal Nehru and future Supreme Court judges - is back in the spotlight. This time, though, for very different reasons. With more than a million cases pending, it is among the most overburdened courts in the country. Matters ranging from criminal trials to property and family disputes have been pending here for decades, leaving thousands of people in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, trapped in legal limbo.
Consider Babu Ram Rajput, 73, a retired government employee who has been battling a property dispute for over three decades. He bought land at an auction in 1992, but the previous owner challenged the sale - and the case remains unresolved to this day. I just hope my case is decided while I'm still alive, Mr Rajput says.
The high court's struggle mirrors a broader crisis in India's judiciary, where too few judges and a constant flood of cases have caused crippling delays. Each judge faces hundreds of cases a day - sometimes over 1,000. With just five working hours, that's less than a minute per case. In practice, many aren't heard at all. Lawyers say urgent matters are heard first, pushing older cases further down the list.
The backlog has even prompted legal action. Earlier this year, a group of Allahabad High Court lawyers petitioned for more judicial appointments, calling the court 'paralysed' by a shortage of judges that leaves cases lingering for years. The Supreme Court of India has also expressed concern over the unpredictability of case listings at the Allahabad High Court, indicating that the system is in a state of collapse.
Experts argue that judicial reforms, including the appointment of more judges and the establishment of additional benches in different cities, are necessary to alleviate the situation. Until significant changes are made, the backlog looms as a persistent challenge, affecting the lives of countless individuals seeking justice.
Consider Babu Ram Rajput, 73, a retired government employee who has been battling a property dispute for over three decades. He bought land at an auction in 1992, but the previous owner challenged the sale - and the case remains unresolved to this day. I just hope my case is decided while I'm still alive, Mr Rajput says.
The high court's struggle mirrors a broader crisis in India's judiciary, where too few judges and a constant flood of cases have caused crippling delays. Each judge faces hundreds of cases a day - sometimes over 1,000. With just five working hours, that's less than a minute per case. In practice, many aren't heard at all. Lawyers say urgent matters are heard first, pushing older cases further down the list.
The backlog has even prompted legal action. Earlier this year, a group of Allahabad High Court lawyers petitioned for more judicial appointments, calling the court 'paralysed' by a shortage of judges that leaves cases lingering for years. The Supreme Court of India has also expressed concern over the unpredictability of case listings at the Allahabad High Court, indicating that the system is in a state of collapse.
Experts argue that judicial reforms, including the appointment of more judges and the establishment of additional benches in different cities, are necessary to alleviate the situation. Until significant changes are made, the backlog looms as a persistent challenge, affecting the lives of countless individuals seeking justice.
