Chandigarh, Jan 1: For the first time in recent years, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has recorded a clear and sustained reduction in pending cases, with the backlog falling by more than 11,000 matters over the past year, according to data from the National Judicial Data Grid.
The latest NJDG figures show total pendency at 4,20,880 cases, down from 4,32,227 in January 2025. The decline averages nearly 945 cases a month, marking a departure from previous years when pendency largely remained static.
Court officials said the reduction is significant given that the High Court continues to function with a nearly 30% shortage of judges.
“Despite limited judicial strength, there has been a consistent focus on disposal, particularly of older matters,” an official familiar with the data said.
At present, 59 judges are working against a sanctioned strength of 85. At least six judges are due to retire this year, a factor that had earlier constrained disposal rates.
Civil cases account for the bulk of the decline. NJDG data shows civil pendency has dropped to 2,56,049 cases, from 2,68,279 in January 2025. Criminal cases now stand at 1,64,831.
The data also points to gradual improvement in older cases. About 83.72% of all pending matters—3,52,343 cases—are now over a year old, down from nearly 85% at the beginning of the year.
Second appeals, long regarded as a major bottleneck due to voluminous records, have continued to come down. From 48,386 cases in January, their number has fallen to 46,821. First appeals stand at 84,456, while writ petitions—the largest category—are pegged at 82,802.
Disposals have begun to outpace fresh filings. In the last month alone, the High Court disposed of 11,413 cases against 10,132 new filings, ensuring a net reduction in pendency.
Court sources attributed the trend to administrative prioritisation of old matters, cases involving senior citizens, women, juveniles and persons with disabilities, as well as Supreme Court remands and corruption-related cases.
“With regular listing of very old cases and tighter monitoring, the backlog is no longer stuck at the same level,” the official said
