Justice system plagued by low budgets: India Justice Report 2022
The India Justice Report (IJR) 2022 has revealed that India’s justice system is being plagued by low budgets, leading to a significant backlog of cases. Despite states increasing budget allocations for legal aid, the report has found that legal aid clinics have been reduced by 44% between 2019 to 2021.
This lack of funding has had a significant impact on the justice system, with over 4.4 million cases pending in high courts across India. Additionally, more than 29 million cases are currently pending in lower courts.
The IJR 2022, which is produced by Tata Trusts and Centre for Social Justice, aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Indian justice system. The report assesses states’ performance on parameters such as infrastructure, human resources, budgets, and diversity.
The report also highlights that most states are struggling to meet the United Nations recommended ratio of judges to population, with only three states reaching the target. The lack of judges has resulted in a high number of vacancies in various courts, including 40% in the High Court.
Furthermore, the report reveals that the number of under-trials in India has increased by 25% in the last five years, indicating a severe delay in the criminal justice system.
Overall, the India Justice Report 2022 paints a grim picture of the country’s justice system, highlighting the need for significant investment to ensure that justice is delivered efficiently and fairly.
B) Why this News is important:
Low budgets continue to plague India’s justice system, leading to a significant backlog of cases. According to the India Justice Report (IJR) 2022, over 4.4 million cases are currently pending in high courts across India, while more than 29 million cases are pending in lower courts. This news is crucial for students preparing for government exams for various positions, including civil services, as it highlights the need for significant investment in the justice system.
C) Historical context:
The issue of low budgets and inadequate funding for the justice system is not a new one. The Indian justice system has been grappling with this problem for many years, leading to significant delays and backlogs in courts. The lack of funding has also resulted in a shortage of judges, with most states struggling to meet the recommended ratio of judges to population.
D) Key Takeaways from “Justice system plagued by low budgets: India Justice Report 2022”:
| Serial No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | India’s justice system is plagued by low budgets, leading to a significant backlog of cases. |
| 2. | Despite an increase in budget allocations for legal aid, legal aid clinics have been reduced by 44% between 2019 to 2021. |
| 3. | Most states are struggling to meet the United Nations recommended ratio of judges to population, with only three states reaching the target. |
| 4. | The number of under-trials in India has increased by 25% in the last five years, indicating a severe delay in the criminal justice system. |
| 5. | The India Justice Report 2022 highlights the need for significant investment in the justice system to ensure justice is delivered efficiently and fairly. |
Important FAQs for Students from this News
Q. What is the India Justice Report (IJR) 2022?
A. The India Justice Report (IJR) 2022 is a report produced by Tata Trusts and Centre for Social Justice, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the Indian justice system.
Q. How has low budget affected India’s justice system?
A. Low budgets have led to a significant backlog of cases in the Indian justice system, with over 4.4 million cases pending in high courts and more than 29 million cases pending in lower courts.
Q. How has the number of legal aid clinics changed between 2019 to 2021?
A. According to the India Justice Report (IJR) 2022, legal aid clinics have been reduced by 44% between 2019 to 2021, despite states increasing budget allocations for legal aid.
Q. What is the recommended ratio of judges to population?
A. The United Nations recommends a ratio of 50 judges per million population. However, most states in India are struggling to meet this target.
Q. What is the impact of low funding on the criminal justice system?
A. Low funding has resulted in a shortage of judges and vacancies in various courts, including 40% in the High Court. The number of under-trials has also increased by 25% in the last five years, indicating a severe delay in the criminal justice system.
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