Shashibhushan Kunwar, Patna. A new system is going to be started soon to reduce the burden of pending cases in the courts of Bihar and to speed up the judicial process. The central government is preparing to start evening courts in three states including Bihar. By the end of this year, it will be started as a pilot project in Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has given this information.
In an interview to a newspaper, the Union Minister said that a large number of cases are pending in the courts of the country for years. In such a situation, the government is working on new options in the judicial system to ensure justice and speedy disposal of cases. In this connection, a plan has been made to start evening courts.
Court will continue for additional time in the evening
Under the proposed system, the courts which currently operate during the day, will function for some additional hours in the evening also. During this period, special emphasis will be given on hearing and disposal of pending cases. This is expected to help in increasing the efficiency of the courts without affecting the regular judicial functioning.
Services of retired judges will be taken
According to the Union Law Minister, consideration is also being given to taking the services of retired judges to run evening courts. This entire initiative will be implemented with the cooperation of the High Courts of the respective states. In the initial phase it will be started in three states. Its outcomes and methodology will be comprehensively evaluated. If the pilot project is successful, it will be considered for implementation in other states and union territories also.
Cases will also be settled through Lok Adalat and ADR
To reduce the increasing burden of cases on the courts, the Central Government does not want to depend only on evening courts. For this, there is a plan to promote options like Lok Adalats and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Through these means, such cases can be resolved separately from the regular litigation process of the courts, which can be resolved through mutual consent and alternative legal processes.
Important initiative for the judicial system of Bihar
The inclusion of Bihar in this pilot project is being considered important from the point of view of the judicial system of the state. With the introduction of evening courts, additional time will be available for hearing pending cases. However, detailed information regarding the number of these courts in Bihar, location, working timings and which categories of cases will be heard will be revealed after the arrangements are decided at the concerned High Court and state level.