Sanjay Goel’s frustration and exhaustion were evident as he gazed at the massive pile of handwritten legal papers before him during one of his numerous trips from Vancouver to Mumbai, India. He was fighting for justice in the tragic murder of his mother, Dr. Asha Goel, who was killed in 2003 while visiting family in Mumbai. Despite having compelling evidence, including a confession and strong DNA proof, the family faced significant delays in the Indian court system.
The Goel family, including Sanjay, his sisters, and their elderly father, have endured countless court hearings and witness testimonies, with some witnesses no longer available to testify due to age or death. The backlog of cases in India’s judicial system, with over 54 million pending cases, has further complicated their pursuit of justice. The situation has left many lawyers and judges feeling hopeless and desperate.
Former Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel described the backlog as “monumental,” with more than 5.5 million cases lingering for over a decade. The system’s inefficiencies, compounded by archaic procedures and a shortage of judges, have contributed to the escalating crisis. Despite promises from successive governments to address the issue, little progress has been made in alleviating the burden of pending cases.
Mumbai activist Sudhir Dhawale shared his personal experience of spending over six years in jail awaiting bail on charges of inciting caste violence. The lengthy legal proceedings and bureaucratic hurdles have left many like him in a state of uncertainty and prolonged suffering.
One of the core issues exacerbating the backlog is the outdated legal procedures inherited from the British colonial era, which heavily rely on oral arguments and handwritten submissions. Efforts to modernize the system, such as limiting oral arguments and implementing AI technology like Adalat AI, aim to streamline the process and improve efficiency.
Despite incremental reforms, individuals like Sanjay Goel continue to face an uphill battle for justice, navigating through a complex and overburdened legal system. The emotional toll and financial strain of seeking closure for his mother’s murder reflect the broader challenges faced by many in India’s judicial landscape.