E-Paper
Disposal of old cases to figure on self-appraisal of judicial officers
Disposing of the oldest 1,000 cases is the target proposed for exclusive court each set up for cheque bounce cases in Punjab, Haryana and UT.
The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed district and sessions judges of Punjab, Haryana and UT to consider the disposal of ‘Action Plan’ cases in a year, while giving their remarks on self-appraisal reports of judicial officers. The high court has drawn up an ‘Action Plan 2018-19’ to ensure speedy disposal of pending cases in district courts. The directions are part of this plan.
The HC letter also states that, in consultation with the administrative judge, district and sessions judge would have to distribute and allocate cases targeted under the Action Plan equally among judicial officers. This is meant to ensure that the oldest cases in the sessions division are properly targeted.
However, stayed cases are not to be included on the list. In case the stay is vacated during the currency of the Action Plan, then the same may be included on the list of the cases under the plan as per the letter.
All additional district and sessions judges have been directed to expedite disposal of the oldest cases; cases of specified categories have to be disposed of up to March 31, 2019. To expedite disposal of old cases, executions, the target is to dispose of all pending cases which were instituted up to December 31, 2014.
Special provision for NDPS cases
All cases under the NDPS Act, 1985, which are more that than a year old need to be disposed of. Significantly, this directive comes at a time when Punjab is amid the grip of increasing number of deaths linked to drug overdose.
The civil judges-cum-judicial magistrates are expected to dispose of the 50 oldest execution petitions as well as all pending cases in which the accused are in custody for a period of more than six months.
Family courts, set up to deal with family matters, in districts have been directed to expedite trials and conclude the 150 oldest cases along with the 25 oldest petitions. For Juvenile Justice Boards, where cases are more than 100, the directive is to dispose off the 100 oldest inquiries.
Disposing of the oldest 1,000 cases is the target proposed for exclusive court each set up for cheque bounce cases in Punjab, Haryana and UT.
Similarly, disposing of the ten oldest CBI cases is the target for the special courts concerned. As for exclusive courts set up for dealing with heinous crimes against women, it has been clearly indicated that those under the POCSO Act be disposed off within one year from the date of commitment of the offence, at the most.
