Over 4.54 Crore Civil, Criminal Cases Pending In India’s Lower Courts: Law Ministry
As per the data provided by the Union Law Ministry, a total of 4,54,25,833 cases are pending for resolution in District and Subordinate Courts across the country. Out of which, 1,09,48,059 cases are civil matters and 3,44,77,774 are criminal cases, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed the Parliament today. Meanwhile, the data also said Supreme Court of India has a backlog of 82,490 cases in which 64,225 are civil and 18,265 criminal matters. Same as 61,04,507 are pending before the High Courts across the country in which 43,46,093 are civil and 17,58,414 are criminal cases.
The minister was replying to questions asked by Rajya Sabha member Madan Rathore.
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The minister has also said the pendency of civil and criminal cases in the country at the level of District and Subordinate Courts, High Courts and the Supreme Court are reflected in real time basis on the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) developed by NIC under the aegis of eCommittee of the Supreme Court and funded by Government of India’s eCourts Project.
The Law Minister informed Parliament that under Section 229(2) of the Bhartiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, petty criminal offences are defined as those punishable only by a fine not exceeding five thousand rupees, excluding offences under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, or any other law that allows for convicting an accused in their absence on a plea of guilty.
He further explained that many categories of petty civil cases and criminal offences could be resolved outside the courtroom through mechanisms like Lok Adalats or mediation. Lok Adalat, established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, serves as a “People’s Court” where disputes are settled amicably between parties on mutually agreed terms. These courts handle various civil matters and compoundable criminal cases, especially those of a petty nature, whether pending in courts or at the pre-litigation stage. Lok Adalats are categorised into National Lok Adalats, State Lok Adalats, and Permanent Lok Adalats.
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The minister also mentioned the concept of Mobile Lok Adalats, which travel to different locations to mediate disputes, and Online Lok Adalats, introduced in June 2020, enabling virtual participation through internet technology. Regarding mediation, he stated that the Mediation Act, 2023, governs mediation in civil and commercial matters, except for those specifically excluded in the First Schedule of the Act. These exceptions are considered unsuitable for mediation.
