Evening courts are emerging as a potential solution to address judicial backlogs, with India leading the charge as of April 2025. The Ministry of Law and Justice has proposed establishing 785 evening courts across district court complexes, operating from 5 PM to 9 PM on weekdays. These courts would focus on minor cases—such as property disputes, check bounce issues, and offenses with up to three-year sentences—using existing infrastructure to ease the burden on daytime courts. Inspired by Gujarat’s successful model from 2006, the initiative aims to tackle the staggering 50 million-plus pending cases, a number that has grown from 46 million in 2023, with nearly half lingering for over three years. While still in the proposal stage, with states reviewing the plan, the intent is to restore public faith in the judiciary by processing cases more efficiently.
The realization of evening courts hinges on overcoming logistical and administrative hurdles, including state cooperation, funding, and judicial staffing. No firm timeline exists yet, but the proposal reflects a global trend of innovative scheduling—seen in places like the UK—to address court delays. In India, the scale is unprecedented, driven by necessity and the sheer volume of cases clogging the system. If implemented effectively, evening courts could significantly reduce the backlog, allowing regular courts to prioritize complex matters. While not yet a reality, the groundwork is in place, making it a development worth watching in the coming months.
By BHARAT GLOBAL TIME
