Subordinate judiciary: An economic pillar we must fix

Comprehensive reforms of India's lower level judiciary could help the economy grow markedly faster

- PRADEEP S. MEHTA & AKANKSHA MATHUR

Imagine a small shop owner, Sunita, waiting five years for a district court to resolve a simple lease dispute. Consequently, she is unable to expand her business, which adversely affects her future. Now multiply her story by 45 million, the number of cases clogging India's district courts. What if these delays aren't just inconveniences but a silent economic haemorrhage, draining about 0.5% of India's GDP annually, or roughly ₹1.5 trillion? What if fixing our 'first centre of justice' could spark an economic and social transformation? These aren't hypotheticals; they're urgent realities facing India's judicial system and our country's economic future.

The subordinate judiciary, handling 87.5% of India's cases, is the foundation of our legal system. Yet, there are 4,859 vacancies in lower courts, a backlog of cases and outdated systems that fail to harness the beast. The vision of 'Citizen First, Dignity First, Justice First' demands a reinvigorated district judiciary. As shown by global success stories, from Singapore's 80% cases resolved through mediation to Kenya's 346-day cut in commercial case timelines, efficient subordinate courts can boost GDP through their positive impact on the economy. India's district courts, however, remain growth inhibitors. To realize Viksit Bharat, we must confront four critical challenges and embrace bold reforms.