The Allahabad High Court has requested feedback from bar associations on a proposal to declare 12 non-working Saturdays as working days. The aim is to reduce the backlog of cases pending for over five years.
In a letter dated May 14, 2025, the Registrar General’s office asked the High Court Bar Association, Advocates' Association, and Oudh Bar Association (Lucknow bench) for their views. The proposal suggests using one Saturday each month to hear long-pending cases.
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This idea comes from the National Court Management System (NCMS)-2024 policy, which states:
"One Saturday of every month may be assigned for hearing cases more than 5 years old. If any High Court remains closed on all Saturdays but has a huge backlog, the 2025 calendar should include at least 12 working Saturdays."
After receiving responses, a full bench of the High Court will decide on the proposal.
Growing Case Backlog in Allahabad High Court
The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the increasing number of pending cases in the Allahabad High Court. In February 2025, the Supreme Court emphasized filling judicial vacancies to speed up case hearings.
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The court noted:
"In the last two months, many petitioners have approached us because their cases in the Allahabad High Court have been pending for over 30 years. Each judge handles 15,000 to 20,000 cases. The court has a sanctioned strength of 160 judges but only 84 are working."
Currently, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is pending in the Allahabad High Court, urging the government to fill judicial vacancies quickly. The court is functioning with only 88 judges (including the Chief Justice), against the approved strength of 160.
