Kashmir’s justice system is overwhelmed and underperforming. As of January 2026, nearly 3.9 lakh cases are pending in subordinate courts across Jammu and Kashmir, with criminal cases making up about 62%. Districts like Srinagar, Anantnag, and Baramulla carry the heaviest burden. Over 58,000 cases have been dragging on for decades. Meanwhile, case filings continue to rise faster than disposals, and High Court output has dropped sharply in recent years. With dozens of judicial posts still vacant, delays are inevitable.
A major reason is the misuse of FIRs. Police often register cases quickly—sometimes without strong evidence—to show action. Many of these cases do not stand in court, but they consume time and resources, slowing down genuine trials. This weakens both policing and justice delivery.
Traffic cases reflect the same issue. While virtual courts have disposed of lakhs of challans and collected significant fines, a large number still remain pending. New challans are issued faster than old ones are cleared, adding to the backlog.
The solution is straightforward. Fill all vacant judicial posts immediately. Set clear disposal targets for courts and prioritise old cases. Make police accountable for filing weak or baseless FIRs. Conduct regular audits and penalise misuse of authority.
The numbers are clear and the problem is serious. Without urgent action, delays will continue and public trust will erode further. Justice delayed is no longer just justice denied—it is becoming justice forgotten.
