Over 47K pendency in Sirsa district courts

The pending civil and criminal cases in Sirsa’s courts have witnessed a sharp surge in the past year, crossing the 47,000 mark by March 2025. According to the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), the total pendency stood at 47,412 cases in March 2025, up from 41,762 in April 2024, an increase of 5,650 cases over 11 months.

A comparison of both periods reveals that the burden on various judges has significantly increased, particularly in subordinate courts across Sirsa, Dabwali, Ellenabad, and Rania.

In March 2025, Vani Gopal Sharma, District and Sessions Judge (D&SJ), Sirsa, was handling 1,977 cases (681 criminal and 1,296 civil) while Dr Ashok Kumar, Additional District and Sessions Judge (AD&SJ) had the highest pendency among sessions court judges, with 3,450 criminal cases.

After Amandeep Dewan, AD&SJ, was suspended on September 10, 2024, his court work was taken over by Dr Ashok Kumar, AD&SJ (FTSC), from September 11 to 30, as per an official order issued on September 12.

In subordinate courts, the highest number of pending cases was before Richu, Civil Judge (JD)-cum-JMIC, with 5,887 cases. She was followed by Munish Nagar, ACJ (SD)-cum-CJM, handling 4,580 cases, and Gagandeep Goyal, CJ(JD)-cum-JMIC, with 2,117 cases.

Other judges also have a significant number of pending cases — Sirsa: Himanshu Singh, CJ(SD)-cum-ACJM (2,305 cases); Rakesh Kadian, ACJ(SD)-cum-JMIC (2,649); and Amit, JMIC (2,528). Dabwali: Harleen Pal Singh, Additional Civil Judge (Sr Div)-cum-SDJM (4,328); and Suman Patlain, JMIC (3,282). Ellenabad: Aashish Arya, Additional CJ(SD)-cum-SDJM (2,807); and Prateet Singh, Civil Judge (Jr Div)-cum-JMIC (2,658). Additionally, as Nyayadhikari of Gram Nyayalaya, Rania, Prateet Singh is overseeing 237 cases.

The total pendency in lower courts (Sirsa, Dabwali, Ellenabad, and Rania) increased from 29,168 in April 2024 to 33,378 in March 2025, reflecting not only the volume of incoming cases but also systemic delays in disposal.

Judicial experts suggest that unless urgent steps are taken, such as appointment of additional judges, better case management, and increased use of technology, the pendency could rise further, adding pressure on the judiciary and impacting justice delivery.

HC stay orders

In Sirsa sessions division, over 180 cases (between five and 20 years old) are pending due to stay orders of the High Court; with 136 such cases in March 2025 and 122 in September 2024.

Haryana Tribune