20.48 lakh cases pending in courts across Kerala

KOTTAYAM: The number of pending cases in courts across the state, including the High Court, continues to rise. According to data from the National Judicial Data Grid, there were 19.92 lakh pending cases at this time last year. The number has now increased to 20.48 lakh.

Of the total, 2.59 lakh cases are pending before the High Court, while 17.88 lakh cases are pending in district, magistrate, and munsiff courts. Last year, the High Court had 2.52 lakh pending cases, and subordinate courts had 17.39 lakh cases.

89,577 cases are more than ten years old. Among them, 41,364 cases are pending in the High Court and 39,399 cases in subordinate courts. Most of the cases pending in lower courts are criminal cases, with 12.46 lakh criminal cases and 5.41 lakh civil cases awaiting disposal.

Thiruvananthapuram leads in pending cases
Thiruvananthapuram district has the highest number of pending cases, while Wayanad has the lowest. Courts in Thiruvananthapuram have 3.52 lakh pending cases, including 90,516 civil cases and 2,62,298 criminal cases. Wayanad has 28,961 pending cases, comprising 7,054 civil cases and 21,907 criminal cases.

Numbers rising daily
The increasing number of cases being filed every day remains a major challenge, even as efforts are being made to speed up case disposal. The introduction of online hearings and virtual examination of accused persons has been helpful in improving efficiency.

District-wise pending cases (Civil, Criminal, Total)

Kollam: 44,227 civil, 1,34,457 criminal – 1,78,684 total

Alappuzha: 37,996 civil, 55,382 criminal – 93,378 total

Pathanamthitta: 21,472 civil, 53,064 criminal – 74,536 total

Kottayam: 29,876 civil, 39,707 criminal – 69,583 total

Idukki: 12,416 civil, 43,106 criminal – 55,522 total

Ernakulam: 63,554 civil, 2,40,958 criminal – 3,04,512 total

Thrissur: 81,163 civil, 1,22,828 criminal – 2,03,991 total

Palakkad: 42,989 civil, 65,186 criminal – 1,08,175 total

Malappuram: 31,446 civil, 73,955 criminal – 1,05,401 total

Wayanad: 7,054 civil, 21,907 criminal – 28,961 total

Kozhikode: 38,088 civil, 68,668 criminal – 1,06,756 total

Kannur: 32,716 civil, 45,312 criminal – 78,028 total

Kasaragod: 8,476 civil, 19,238 criminal – 27,714 total