{
  "id": 7962124,
  "title": "427 new posts, day-to-day hearings: Delhi’s push to clear backlog in trial courts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/427-new-posts-day-to-day-hearings-delhis-push-to-clear-backlog-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T05:48:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/posts-day-hearings-delhi-push-clear-backlog-trial-courts-10881663/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Delhi's trial courts are facing a significant backlog, with the number of pending cases increasing annually by approximately 100,000. In response, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has approved the creation of 427 additional posts for 53 fast-track special courts throughout the city. These new roles include 58 readers, 116 stenographers, and 116 amilads, among others, and are projected to cost the government Rs 37 crore. The government is prioritizing the filling of existing vacancies, as there are currently over 20,000 criminal cases listed daily before Delhi's trial courts. Currently, over 740 judges in Delhi's trial courts have been stagnant since 2015, with each judge managing an average of more than 2,100 cases. Court staff are operating at around 80% of their sanctioned strength, which has not been revised in nearly two decades. There are over 1,700 vacant court staff positions against a sanctioned total of 8,575. In an effort to expedite proceedings and increase transparency, trial courts are now requiring accused persons seeking bail to file affidavits containing relevant details. These affidavits will include case information, trial status, and criminal background. Additionally, there is a focus on ensuring day-to-day trials, with a directive to judicial officers to ensure proceedings are held promptly. This includes continuing witness examinations from day-to-day until all in attendance have been heard, unless special reasons are recorded in writing. Courts are also instructed not to grant adjournments without examining witnesses, except for exceptional circumstances like bereavement. Failure to cooperate with the court may result in the accused being released on bail and facing penalties for delaying the trial.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Delhi Confidential: NIA chief’s house hunt, Congress leaders pulled up over social media posts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/delhi-confidential-nia-chiefs-house-hunt-congress-leaders-pulled-up",
        "published": "2026-09-17T02:45:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}