Short-Staffed HP High Court delivers 90% productivity in 2025, takes up oldest cases
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Shimla, Jan 13,
Operating with a significant judicial shortfall, the Himachal Pradesh High Court recorded an almost 90 per cent case disposal efficiency in 2025, underscoring sustained institutional efforts to speed up justice delivery amid mounting caseloads.
Court statistics reveal that the High Court began 2025 with 93,942 pending cases. Over the year, 81,092 fresh matters were filed, while 72,981 cases were resolved. Although pendency rose to 1,02,053 cases by December 31, the court achieved a clearance rate of 89.99 per cent — a figure considered robust given that it functioned with only 12 judges against a sanctioned strength of 17, including the Chief Justice.
Judicial prioritisation played a key role in sustaining momentum. Cases involving incarcerated convicts, undertrials, crimes against women, sexual harassment, juveniles, and senior citizens were accorded priority hearing. Matters in which proceedings had been stayed in subordinate courts were also fast-tracked to prevent prolonged trial delays.
To tackle legacy litigation, the High Court has designated 12 Saturdays in 2026 as working days, during which only the oldest pending cases will be taken up, reflecting a renewed focus on backlog reduction.
Beyond numerical performance, 2025 saw the High Court deeply engaged in adjudicating matters with wide administrative and political ramifications. The court examined challenges to transfer and posting orders allegedly influenced by political considerations, reiterating that executive discretion must adhere to principles of fairness, transparency, and established norms.
A surge in petitions by government employees brought alleged politically driven transfers under judicial scrutiny. The court also addressed a substantial volume of cases filed by daily wagers and contractual employees, many of whom alleged denial of legitimate service benefits despite long years of service. In multiple rulings, the High Court emphasised the state’s duty to function as a model employer and protect labour rights.
The year also witnessed judicial engagement with complex criminal matters linked to influential quarters, alongside disputes reflecting friction between central and state investigating agencies. Litigation arising from political polarisation and institutional conflict further occupied the court’s docket.
In a landmark constitutional ruling, the High Court struck down the appointment of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, holding that such positions lacked constitutional sanction. The judgment reaffirmed limits on executive power and reinforced the doctrine of separation of powers.
Environmental and land-related disputes remained a dominant litigation category. The court heard challenges to laws permitting regularisation or allotment of encroached land and dealt extensively with cases involving forest land encroachments. Hundreds of public interest litigations were taken up concerning environmental protection, governance failures, and preservation of public resources.
The district judiciary outperformed even the High Court in disposal terms. Subordinate courts achieved a clearance rate of 106.23 per cent in 2025. Starting the year with a pendency of approximately 6.31 lakh cases, district courts received 8,02,478 new filings and disposed of 8,52,488 matters, bringing pendency down to around 5.81 lakh cases. Disposal targets for judicial officers were fixed and closely monitored in line with Supreme Court guidelines.
On the administrative side, judicial capacity was partially strengthened. By the end of 2025, three Additional District and Sessions Judge posts and 19 Civil Judge posts were filled, while four new AD&SJ posts and five Civil Judge posts were created. Three newly sanctioned AD&SJ courts at Nurpur, Amb, and Bilaspur became operational in early January 2026.
Despite persistent vacancies, the High Court’s performance in 2025 highlighted its pivotal role in navigating complex legal, administrative, and political challenges, while continuing efforts to curb mounting pendency and improve judicial efficiency.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.