Village courts will now simplify the path to justice. The Supreme Court has ordered not to keep cases pending. It has urged rapid work on the establishment of village courts. The Supreme Court commented that village courts will facilitate quick justice at people’s doorsteps, reducing the backlog in trial courts.
Since the law's passage in 2008, the Supreme Court has directed to expedite village court establishments. Chief Secretaries of all states and Registrars General of High Courts have been instructed to establish village courts.
Directed to file an affidavit in six weeks
An affidavit detailing the functioning and existing infrastructure must be filed within six weeks, as directed by the court. This order came during the hearing of a petition filed in 2019 by the NGO National Federation of Societies for Fast Justice, among others.
Only 264 village courts in the country 16 years later
The petition sought directions for all central and state governments to take steps to establish village courts. It was stated that the state government would appoint jurists for village courts on the advice of the High Court. Advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned that 16 years after the law was passed, only 264 village courts are functioning in the country, whereas, by now, 6,000 village courts should have been established.
The court stated that the establishment of village courts would bring swift justice to people, in addition to reducing the caseload in trial courts. The Supreme Court affirmed that the right to accessible justice is included within the right to justice.
'Discuss the plan for establishment'
The Supreme Court directed Chief Secretaries of state governments and Registrars General of High Courts to file affidavits within six weeks regarding the establishment and functioning of village courts. They are also instructed to mention the existing infrastructure for the establishment of courts in the affidavits.
The Supreme Court stated that before submitting the affidavit, Chief Secretaries and Registrars General should meet to discuss the plan created for the establishment of village courts. The next hearing of the case in the Supreme Court is scheduled for September 11th.
